With Indiana’s primary election set for May 5th and Ohio postponing its primary balloting, there have been some developments on absentee ballots and the possibility of postponing Indiana’s election day due to the coronavirus.

Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Richardson urged all eligible for absentee voting to use that system.  Indiana law allows absentee voting only in specified situations.

Clerk Williams listed the most common reasons as:

• If they are confined to their residence, hospital or nursing home due to illness
• If they are caring for someone who is confined
• If they are 65 years of age or older

You must also be registered to vote in order to submit an absentee ballot

Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Weingarten submitted a Letter to the Editor to the Hamilton County Reporter proposing all Hoosiers be allowed to vote absentee.

“I requested that the Hamilton County Election Board request permission from the State Election Board to conduct the May Primary as a 100 percent vote by mail effort to protect the lives of all poll workers and voters in view of the coronavirus,” Weingarten wrote.

According to the Reporter, 5th District Republican Congressional candidate Carl Brizzi is proposing postponement of the May primary election.

“Not an easy decision, but the safety of poll workers and voters takes precedence,” said Brizzi. “Free and fair elections are the foundation of American democracy, we need to ensure that all Hoosiers are heard and are safe.”