
All Hoosier voters have the option to cast their ballot by mail in the upcoming primary election to minimize the potential spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the bipartisan Indiana Election Commission authorized "no excuse" absentee voting by mail for this election only, along with numerous other temporary changes to accommodate Gov. Eric Holcomb's decision to shift Indiana's primary to June 2 from May 5.
Vote by mail typically only is available to Hoosiers who satisfy at least one of 11 statutory excuses for being unable to get to their polling place on Election Day.
UPDATE: Crown Point hospital treating 4 coronavirus patients; Region has at least 26 confirmed cases
The Election Commission unanimously agreed with the governor that the need to reduce personal interactions during the coronavirus pandemic is sufficient justification to allow all Hoosiers to vote by mail for the rescheduled Democratic and Republican primaries.
"This is a real good step and I'm proud to be a part of this bipartisan effort," said Anthony Lake, a Democratic election commissioner who hopes "no excuse" vote by mail becomes a permanent feature of Indiana elections.
At this time, in-person early voting and traditional voting at local polling places on Election Day still will be available for the June 2 primary.
Voters preferring to participate by mail must submit a request to their county election board by May 21 either by mail, email, fax, or hand-delivery, if the office is open, to have a ballot sent to them.
The Election Commission also authorized the secretary of state's election division to create an online vote by mail application through the state's voter registration system at indianavoters.com.
Completed mail-in ballots must be received at the county election office by noon on Election Day.
Other changes approved by the commission included shifting all election deadlines by 28 days to account for the June 2 primary date, including the now-May 4 voter registration deadline; authorizing counties to use ballots printed with the May 5 election date; permitting absentee ballots to be counted starting at 6 a.m. on Election Day; and allowing reduced staffing at polling places, if necessary.
Zachary Klutz, a Republican election commissioner, said he knows shifting the primary election date and implementing all the changes will be a challenge for local election administrators.
But he said "difficulties are being faced everywhere" right now in Indiana due to coronavirus.
The commission is scheduled to meet again April 22 to decide if the primary election should be conducted entirely by mail, if there are, for example, continued travel and personal interaction restrictions associated with COVID-19.
Gallery: Once-bustling Region sites empty as COVID-19 infects NWI
Crown Point Square

Crown Point's Main Street, normally busy with traffic and customers grabbing coffee and breakfast, is empty just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday. It was the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's new stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Largely deserted by the Old Courthouse, Crown Point

The largely deserted scene by the Old Courthouse in Crown Point on Wednesday morning, as Hoosiers stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Central Park Plaza Valparaiso

Central Park Plaza Valparaiso is seen empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Lake County Government Center in Crown Point

Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. Usually bustling with cars a people at this time. Largely deserted at the main building, just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Downtown Chesterton

Downtown Chesterton is deserted Wednesday as residents stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday.
Downtown Valparaiso

Downtown Valparaiso is shown empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
U.S. 30 in Schererville

Normally packed with cars during the morning rush, traffic was very light Wednesday morning on U.S. 30 in Schererville.
Downtown Valparaiso

Downtown Valparaiso is shown empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Valplayso in Valparaiso

Valplayso in Valparaiso is shown closed on Wednesday morning amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Westchester Public Library in Chesterton

Westchester Public Library in Chesterton is shown Wednesday morning as Hoosiers hunker down amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ghost town

Downtown Crown Point resembled a ghost town Wednesday morning on Main Street, with open parking spaces and streets that are usually teeming with traffic.
No thru traffic

A drive-thru lane at the Starbucks on Calumet Avenue in Munster is blocked by a traffic cone as the entire business has been closed down in the face of COVID-19.
Closed for business

The Starbucks on Calumet Avenue in Munster has closed entirely, even the drive thru, in the face of COVID-19.
Gallery
Main Street in Hobart

Hobart’s Main Street near Fourth Street, looking north, sits nearly empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 in Indiana.
Broadway in Gary

Downtown Gary’s Broadway Avenue, looking north from near 15th Avenue, Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's Stay-At-Home order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state of Indiana.
Lake Station

Lake Station City Hall parking lot sat empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19.
IUN

Indiana University Northwest in Gary is shown nearly deserted Wednesday in the wake of an Indiana stay-at-home order.
Gary's Broadway

Downtown Gary’s Broadway Avenue, looking south from Fifth Avenue, sits nearly empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 in Indiana.
Highland's Highway Avenue

Downtown Highland looks like a ghost town on Highway Avenue Wednesday.
Shops on Main

The parking lot at Shops on Main in Schererville is eerily empty Wednesday.
Indiana stay-at-home

Normally full of vehicles and shoppers, the Shops on Main in Schererville is eerily empty Wednesday.
Growlers

The folks at Growlers, in Highland, are hoping to welcome back customers on March 30.
Special delivery

Postal carrier Robert Cavazos, a resident of Griffith, delivers mail in Highland. He is one of the "essential" workers who was out and about Wednesday.
Best Buy

Best Buy customers at the Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. A very small selection of items are available outside. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home

Best Buy customers at the Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. A very small selection of items are available outside. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home

The St. Michael the Archangel Church marquee displays a message of prayer for health care workers amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Indiana stay-at-home

Best Buy customers in Hobart must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home

Businesses are closed and the parking lot is empty at Boulevard Square in Schererville Wednesday.
Indiana stay-at-home

Crown Point Wendy's manager Scott Finley posts the restaurant's drive-thru hours on the marquee on Wednesday, the first day of Indiana's shutdown. Hoosiers still can leave their homes during the next two weeks to address the health and safety of themselves or their families; to purchase groceries, medical supplies, carryout food or other urgently needed goods; to participate in outdoor recreation at least 6 feet away from others; or to take care of a family member or friend in another household.
Indiana stay-at-home

Southlake Mall's parking lot sits empty Wednesday in the wake of COVID-19.
Indiana stay-at-home

The Lake County Government Center is closed to the public with only essential workers reporting for work.
Indiana stay-at-home

A passenger-less bus does its route at the Lake County Government Center.
Indiana stay-at-home

Closed for the foreseeable future, movie posters have been removed from the Hobart AMC Showplace theaters.
Indiana stay-at-home

Southlake Mall's parking lot is nearly empty of cars.
Indiana stay-at-home

Office Depot in Hobart, like other stores, offers curbside pickup.
Indiana stay-at-home

Stores at Shops on Main in Schererville remain closed.
Indiana stay-at-home

Office Depot in Hobart, like other stores, offers curbside pickup.