Early voting off to a strong start in Marion County

Early voting at satellite sites is open for Marion County residents ahead of Election Day, and the number of early voters is trending up.

About 4,600 people voted early in-person as of Wednesday.  That number is about four times the 2019 totals, when 1,200 people had cast a ballot by this time. Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell said that over the past decade, the county has seen an increase in votes cast at early voting sites.

“Voters appreciate the ease and convenience in being able to vote on their timeline, instead of just on election day,” Sweeney Bell said. “We want to make voting as accessible and easy and fair and safe and free for every voter.”

There are nine satellite sites across the county, one in every township. Washington, Lawrence and Pike townships and the site at the City-County Building have seen the most early voters.

Early and absentee voting shot up during the pandemic.  People waited in long, socially distanced lines to avoid crowds on Election Day. 

The last time municipal elections were held in Indianapolis was 2019. At that time, less than 20 percent of residents cast a vote.

Sweeney Bell said low voter participation in Indianapolis municipal elections is disheartening.

“Because every single vote matters, and we will count every single vote,” she said.

Voters do have to pick a Republican or Democratic ticket when voting.  Because of a wide variety of candidates, especially in the mayoral race, if voters want to choose outside their regular party they have to request that ballot.

Marion County voters will decide on mayoral and city-county council candidates and school referendums in this election.

Early voting hours at satellite sites through Sunday are from 11 a.m to 6 p.m.  The City-County Building opens earlier, at 8 a.m through Friday, and will be the only site open Monday before Election Day from 8 a.m to 12 p.m.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 2.  Marion County voters can vote at any of the 186 vote centers that will be open that day.