Statement on Passage of Vote Centers and Satellite Voting Resolution by the Marion County Election Board

Friday, January 26, 2018

This week, the Marion County Election Board took a pivotal step in the push for voter access equality. The Vote Centers and Satellite Voting Resolution that was passed is being regarded as “one of the most monumental bipartisan agreements achieved in the history of Marion County.”  This trans-formative resolution will expand voter options in Marion County for the foreseeable future making it easier for voters to cast their ballots beginning with the 2019 Primary Election.  The Election Board will shift its near decade long satellite voting focus to discussions and deliberations on how many satellite sites to have and their locations. While doing so, steps must be taken in the short term to ensure that Marion County voters have access to more early voting locations during this year’s elections.  The Indianapolis Urban League, the African American Coalition of Indianapolis and other community organizations are prepared to provide input and assistance as needed to help increase voter participation this year and beyond.

• The resolution creates an Election Administration Planning Committee (EAPC);
• The EAPC will develop a plan to implement vote centers in Marion County that includes but is not limited to the following:
  • The transition to vote centers will occur with the 2019 Primary Election;
  • All of the approximately 300 polling locations will be vote center polling places on Election Day to the extent practicable;
  • Several of the vote center polling places will be open for early satellite voting;
  • Electronic poll books will be used county-wide at each vote center polling place; and
  • The EAPC will make timely recommendations to the election board regarding changes to equipment, staffing, process, and applicable law sufficient to carry out the purposes of this resolution.