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Dear Beth, I typically vote at my precinct on Election Day. Unfortunately I am going to be visiting family out of town on November 8 this year. What are my options for casting my ballot before Election Day?
Sincerely, Viktor Voter

Thank you for your question Viktor! I applaud you for taking the steps necessary to explore all of your voting options. In addition to voting on Election Day, Indiana law provides three absentee voting options. The first is travelling board, which is a service for people who are confined to their home or voters with disabilities. A bi-partisan team will deliver your ballot to your home and provide assistance, if requested. You do have to submit an application to request an appointment. Call the Election Board office at 327-VOTE to arrange a meeting time. Space is limited, so it’s important to apply early.

The second option is vote-by-mail. You must submit an application and check off a state approved reason
for requesting the absentee ballot, including being out of town, working the polls on Election Day or being
65 or older. You do not need to provide a copy of your photo ID to vote-by-mail. You can call our office to
request an application at (317) 327-VOTE or download one at www.indy.gov/election. The application
must be filled out completely and returned to our office no later than midnight, October 31. Once your
application is processed, our staff will mail you a ballot which you can fill out and return to our office; a
security postage paid envelope will be provided. Ballots MUST be returned to our office by Election Day –
November 8!

The final absentee option is early voting, which is available to all registered voters. Unlike voting by mail,
you must show a valid photo ID issued by the state of Indiana or federal government to cast an 
in-person early ballot. The only location for early voting is the Clerk’s office located on the first floor of the
west wing of the City-County Building. Voters can use the Delaware Street entrance for easy access.
Parking is available at the pay lots just east of the building at Market and Alabama streets. You must prepay the lot’s fee, but it will be reimbursed to you after presenting a voucher from the Election Board office.

Here’s the full early voting schedule:

• Mon., Oct. 10 to Fri., Oct. 28 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
• Sat., Oct. 22 & Sun. Oct. 23 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sat., Oct. 29 & Sun., Oct. 30 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Evening hours! Mon., Oct. 31 to Fri., Nov. 4 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sat., Nov. 5 & Sun., Nov. 6 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Last Day! Mon., Nov. 7 – 8 a.m. to NOON

If your plans change and you decide to vote on Election Day, remember that your polling location is open
from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8. You can find out where you go to vote by calling 327-
VOTE or visiting www.indy.gov/VIP. In fact, the Voter Information Portal (VIP for short) has sample ballots
and photos of your polling location, including driving directions.

Thank you again for your question, Viktor. In this municipal election year, the people we elect to serve as
our mayor and councillors have a direct impact on our daily lives, which in my opinion makes this the
most important election of all. If you have any questions, call our office at (317) 327 – VOTE or email us
at elections@indy.gov. 
Best wishes, 
Beth

Note to Readers: “Ask Beth” is a monthly column written by Marion County Clerk Beth White and aimed at
educating the public about the services provided by her office. For more information, visit
www.indy.gov/clerk or call (317) 327-4740.