Merritt Authors Measure to Prepare Marion County for Vote Centers

STATE HOUSE (March 6, 2018) — House Bill 1383, which changes various election law matters, today passed the Senate by a vote of 42-7, said State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis).

An amendment, authored by Merritt, that would prepare Marion County to become a vote-center county was recently added to HB 1383. The amendment would allow for Marion County to use electronic pollbooks and puts forth a framework for Marion County to become a vote center county.

It would also allow:

•  immediate removal of a voter’s name from the electronic pollbook if they have voted absentee prior to election day so that their name is no longer eligible to vote in that election;
• poll workers to begin counting absentee ballots at 6 a.m. on Election Day at the central count location as opposed to waiting until the polls closed; and
• counted absentee ballots to not be stored in precinct order.

“This is a common-sense amendment that will make the election process faster and simpler for our citizens,” Merritt said. “As our technology improves, so should the convenience for voters and poll workers. This amendment paves the way for Marion County’s transition to a vote-center county.”

HB 1383 now moves back to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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Contact: Lauren Beatty, Press Secretary
Lauren.Beatty@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221