WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Indiana’s Democratic Party mistakenly sent out absentee ballots without the state mandated instructions.
The Monroe County Election Board addressed the issue in an emergency session on Monday. County Clerk Nicole Browne confirmed that Monroe County will accept the faulty absentee ballots, as instructed by Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson.
Browne also reported a third party IT service has certified the county’s election equipment for accuracy, in advance of the November 6th general election.
Also in the meeting, the Monroe County election board challenged an absentee ballot already submitted, citing an Indiana code; The board said the signature on the ballot did not match the signature of record. Browne and board members Wiliam Ellis and Carolyn VandeWiele unanimously agreed to reject the ballot.
October 9th is the deadline to register to vote in the November midterm election. October 8th, is Columbus Day — a federal holiday — but Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler says Monroe County’s election office will be open. However, voters will have to go to their polling stations to vote on November 6th, or vote early, beginning on October 10th.
Residents who have lived in Monroe County for thirty days as of November 6th are eligible to vote. As are former felons – In the state of Indiana, anyone not currently incarcerated is allowed to vote.
The November 6th midterm election is 33 days away.
