Primary Election to Move to June 2

Gov. Holcomb and Secretary of State Lawson Announce Primary Election to Move
to June 2

INDIANAPOLIS Friday, March 20, 2020 –

Governor Eric Holcomb joined Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Republican
Party Chair Kyle Hupfer and Democratic Party Chair John Zody today to
announce an agreement to move the date of this year’s Indiana primary
election from May 5 to June 2.

All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 days
to reflect the new date of the primary. For example, military and overseas
ballots are required to mailed 45 days prior to the primary election, so
they’ll move 45 days prior to June 2.

“The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and open election is
one of the cornerstones of America. In order to balance that right with the
safety of county employees, poll workers and voters, delaying Indiana’s
primary election is the right move as we continue to do all we can to
protect Hoosiers’ health,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Gov. Holcomb signed an executive order to suspend Indiana’s election statute
and move the dates. The executive order is posted here:
www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

In addition, Governor Holcomb, Secretary Lawson, Chairman Hupfer and
Chairman Zody made the following recommendations to the Indiana Election
Commission.

* Suspend absentee by-mail rules to allow all Hoosiers the option to
vote by mail in the upcoming primary election.
* Allow county clerks to continually mail ballots from now through 12
days out from the new primary election date.
* Confirm ballots with a May 5, 2020 date will be valid.
* Enable medical professionals to be eligible members of traveling
boards to vote nursing home and hospital patients.
* Give family members the ability to deliver absentee ballots.
Currently only a member of a voter’s household may take possession of their
ballot.

“As Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, it is my top priority to protect our
elections, but, above all else, it is my duty to protect the health and
safety of Hoosiers,” said Secretary Lawson. “I believe the bi-partisan
recommendations we have asked the Indiana Election Commission to take will
allow us to provide all Hoosiers the opportunity to vote.

Indiana Election Commission Chairman Paul Okeson has called a meeting of the
Indiana Election Commission on Wednesday, March 25 at 10 a.m. to discuss the
recommendations. The meeting will be held in the south atrium of the Indiana
Statehouse.