The primary election of 2018 is already making history.
More than 2,000 voters in the Columbus area had already cast their ballots, Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps announced late last week. That sets a record for the most early votes in a midterm primary election, Phelps said.
The trend is nothing new. Two years ago, 28 percent of all primary voters in Bartholomew County cast early ballots. Many residents have cited the convenience of picking a time and place to vote that suits their schedule.
But for many others, voting on a designated Election Day is both a tradition and a civic duty. For those who plan to cast ballots Tuesday, the following is meant to make the experience go as smoothly as possible.
Before you go
Many calls received at the Voter Registration Office are from residents who are unsure whether they are registered to vote. While the staff can let you know over the phone, that question can be handled online at any time by visiting the Indiana Secretary of State’s website at indianavoters.com.
It’s been three years since Bartholomew County residents were first allowed to cast their ballots at any vote center they choose. The locations of the 18 votes centers remain the same as they were during the 2016 presidential election.
While voting is always the best way to support your favorite candidate, showing that support with your apparel at a vote center is not a good idea. Poll workers won’t let you cast a ballot if you’re wearing anything that supports a specific candidate, such as stickers, buttons or T-shirts.
Worried about getting stuck in long lines? That’s not usually a problem during a midterm election.
Less than 20 percent of eligible Bartholomew County voters cast ballots in both the 2010 and 2014 primaries. In addition, records show the number of registered voters in Bartholomew County (49,868) is down 5 percent from four years ago.
But if you are still concerned, the shortest lines are usually found during the late morning hours, as well as in the early afternoon hours before first-shift workers clock out.
Check-in
Before you check in at a vote center, keep in mind that this is a primary — not a general election. That means you must choose either a Democratic Party or Republican Party ballot. Voters will have to wait until November to cast their ballots for independent or third-party candidates.
However, choosing a primary ballot does not make you a registered member of any party, Phelps said.
“Voters in Indiana do not register to vote by political party,” Phelps said. “They just register to vote.”
Once you make your choice and sign in, you can’t change your mind and switch ballots. To avoid surprises, you can get a look at your ballot by going to indianavoters.com, and clicking on “Who’s On The Ballot.”
When a poll worker is ready to check you in, all you need to vote is a valid photo ID. For most people that means your driver’s license. Other acceptable items can include an Indiana photo ID card, military ID or U.S. Passport. College ID cards might also work.
With most IDs, a quick electronic swipe will almost instantaneously pull up your name. All you have to do is sign your name once on a poll pad before you are ready to be escorted to the next available voting machine.
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List of polling places, Page A5.
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