Jeanne Moseley, election clerk at the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration, sorts through mail-in ballots and their corresponding applications Oct. 5 at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point.
Indiana is unlikely to join the nearly three dozen states across the country that allow every resident to vote by mail in every primary and general election.
On Thursday, the Republican-controlled House overwhelming rejected a Democratic proposal to eliminate the requirement that Hoosiers satisfy at least one of 13 possible excuses to vote by mail, and instead permit all registered voters to cast their ballot through the mail.
Precinct clerk Rick Bakker explains what sanitization protocols and PPE equipment are available for poll workers and voters at Schererville Town Hall. Video by Kale Wilk.
State Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute, proposed the no-excuse mail-in ballot amendment to House Bill 1365, which addresses a variety of election issues.
Pfaff said Hoosiers clearly are interested in voting by mail since turnout was up in the 2020 primary election when all voters were allowed to request and submit a mail-in ballot due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Indiana showed that we could conduct an election with no-excuse absentee voting without any incidents of fraud,” Pfaff said.
“If we really consider ourselves representatives of the people, we need to show our constituents that their voices truly matter. We must allow for no-excuse absentee voting and other voting reforms. It is past time we bring our voting system into the 21st century.”
In response, state Reps. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, and Matt Lehman, R-Berne, said Indiana always has been an in-person voting state with mail-in options for individuals who cannot make it to the polls due to age, disability, employment, or other specific reasons.
Wesco said in-person voting is more secure than mail-in balloting, and Lehman pointed out most Indiana counties provide up to 30 days for individuals to vote in-person ahead of the 12 hours polling places are open on Election Day.
“If I can get to work and to the grocery store and everywhere else, I can stop on the way home and vote,” Lehman said.
The House ultimately voted 66-28 to reject Pfaff’s call for no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana.
Data show Indiana ranked in the lowest fifth of states for voter turnout during the 2020 general election.
Gallery: Election Day 2020 in NWI
Gallery: Election Day 2020 in NWI
Voting - Hammond
Precinct judge Jeannette Vargo, right, helps out Sabrina Dafnis, of Hammond, as she prepares to cast her votes on Tuesday at St. John the Baptist School.
Voting - Hammond
Safety protocols for COVID-19 were taken at St. John the Baptist School, one of Hammond's poll locations, on Tuesday. Voters were given gloves to wear while pressing buttons, face coverings were required and check-in devices were sanitized after each voter arrived.
Voting - Hammond
Safety protocols for COVID-19 were taken at St. John the Baptist School, one of Hammond's poll locations, on Tuesday. Voters were given gloves to wear while pressing buttons, face coverings were required and check-in devices were sanitized after each voter arrived.
Voting - Hammond
Only six voters at a time were allowed into the lobby area outside the gymnasium at St. John the Baptist School in Hammond. Social distancing was also implemented for voters as they waited in line to check in.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Adella Randle El, left, and Sherry Burch tally votes at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
As many as 30,000 absentee votes are in the process of being counted at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Vote counters Julie Ann Peterson and Joe L. Patrick help tally some of the 30,000 absentee ballots at the Lake County Government Center on Tuesday.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Election clerk Sandie Sullivan and board member Kevin Smith process some of the many absentee ballots at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Vote counters have taken over much of the cafeteria at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Vote counters tally some of the 30,000 absentee ballots at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Vote counters Maya Toma, left, and Brilynn Nelson help tally some of the 30,000 absentee ballots at the Lake County Government Center.
Counting the vote at the Lake County Government Center
Vote counters tally some of the 30,000 absentee ballots at the Lake County Government Center.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
JoAnn Birdzell gets her "I Voted How About You" sticker from husband John Birdzell after they voted at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Lorraine C. East, left, and her daughter, Lexi Miller, 18, check in at their precinct voting station at the Lake County Fairgrounds. It was Miller's first time voting.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
JoAnn Birdzell, left, gets assistance from precinct judge Victoria Rivera at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
After voting, Lexi Miller, 18, left, and her mother, Lorraine C. East, chat with poll inspector Michelle Swanson. Miller was a first-time voter.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Lily Fritz, center, poses for a picture with her parents Maureen McGrail and Randall Fritz. At 21-years-old, this is Lily's first presidential election.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Suzanne Ackermann checks in to vote at her polling center at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Ackermann took advantage of the great weather to ride to the poll on her bike.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Pat Kardos has been working the polls for 45 years.
Voting turnout at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Lexi Miller, 18, left, and her mother, Lorraine C. East, cast their votes at the Lake County Fairgrounds. This is Lexi's first time voting.
Voting - LaPorte 2
Campaign signs line the sidewalk Monday approaching the polling place at The Presbyterian Church in LaPorte.
Voting - LaPorte
Mari Helen, polling place judge at The Presbyterian Church in LaPorte, gets a voting machine ready for the next voter.
Voting at Brummitt Elementary School near Chesterton
Porter County residents line up outside Brummitt Elementary School in Chesterton to cast their ballots.
Voters - Schererville
Mitzi Watrestraat, precinct judge for Schererville's sixth precinct, sanitizes the line of voting machines on Tuesday at Schererville Town Hall.
Voters - Gary
Marcia Morton, right, election clerk, helps answer questions for Dave Sandrick, of Gary, as he prepares to cast his votes on Tuesday at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Gary
Finger cots are one of the PPE options available for voters to use while touching tablets and voting machines at the polls.
Voters - Gary
Michael DeVries, precinct judge, prepares to sanitize a voting station on Tuesday at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Gary
"I Voted" stickers are available for voters on Tuesday at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Gary
Tiara Lewis, election clerk, sanitizes a tablet after a voter signed in on Tuesday at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Schererville
Mike Winarski, left, precinct inspector, and Rick Bakker, precinct clerk for Schererville's sixth precinct, troubleshoot a voter registration issue encountered on Tuesday at Schererville Town Hall.
Voters - Gary
Ashley Hill, of Gary, makes her candidate choices on Tuesday at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Gary
Sonya Ray, election inspector, sanitizes a voting machine on Tuesday after a voter's use at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Schererville
Robin Owens, election clerk for Schererville's sixth precinct, helps check in Michael Capecci for voting at Schererville Town Hall.
Voters - Schererville
Signatures are signed on the tablet through a plexiglass screen at Schererville Town Hall on Tuesday.
Voters - Schererville
Mitzi Waterstraat, right, precinct judge for Schererville's sixth precinct, helps orient Eliana Grahovac at the voting machine on Tuesday at Schererville Town Hall.
Voters - Gary
Sonya Ray, election inspector, sanitizes a voting machine on Tuesday after a voter's use at Gary Fire Station No. 13.
Voters - Gary
Sanitizer solution for tablets and voting machines are one of the several cleaning and PPE options available at the polls.
Voters - Gary
Renee Hartman, election clerk, left, helps check in voters at one of Gary Fire Station No. 13 on Tuesday.
Voters - Schererville
Michael Capecci, of Schererville, casts his votes on Tuesday at Schererville Town Hall.
Gary schools referendum
Gary Community School Corp. Manager Paige McNulty; Jerome Nelson, president of the Taxpayers for the Gary Community School Corp. political action committee; and David Fossett, precinct captain for Gary's 2nd District, review election results at J's Breakfast Club they say favor the corporation's Nov. 3 referendum.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Brett Bierman, campaign treasurer for Frank Mrvan, consults with Mrvan on Tuesday at campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, shakes hands with Mike Millsap, District 7 director for United Steelworkers, on Tuesday at Mrvan's campaign headquarters in Merrillville. Also pictured is Mrvan's wife, Jane.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Mike Millsap, District 7 director for United Steelworkers, compliments Frank Mrvan's candidacy on Tuesday at Mrvan's headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan speaks with supporters on Tuesday at campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, consults with volunteer Ralph Flores on Tuesday at campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, shares a fist bump with events coordinator Tyler Dillon on Tuesday at Mrvan's campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, looks over voting results from Gary while consulting with his campaign treasurer, Brett Bierman, on Tuesday at campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Ralph Flores, volunteer with Frank Mrvan's campaign, watches the television on Tuesday in Merrillville at headquarters as presidential election results start filing in.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, center, makes the rounds of his campaign headquarters on Tuesday to thank supporters and staff.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Frank Mrvan, right, with his wife Jane and Mike Millsap, District 7 director for United Steelworkers, thanks his supporters Tuesday at his campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, center, hugs his wife, Jane, after thanking his supporters and staff on Tuesday at campaign headquarters in Merrillville. Also pictured is Mike Millsap, District 7 director for the United Steelworkers.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, makes an appearance at campaign headquarters with his wife, Jane, on Tuesday in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Mike Millsap, left, District 7 director for United Steelworkers, shares brief words on union's support for Frank Mrvan's candidacy for Congress on Tuesday at Mrvan's headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Zachary Gossett sports Mrvan and Biden/Harris buttons on his suit jacket on Tuesday at Mrvan's campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
From left, Arvella Greenlaw, Sarah Hopkins, Brett Bierman, Reagan Jackson and Mark Lopez listen as Frank Mrvan speaks on Tuesday at his campaign headquarters.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, right, and his wife, Jane, left, listen to Mike Millsap, District 7 director for United Steelworkers, speak on Tuesday at Mrvan's campaign headquarters in Merrillville.
Frank Mrvan visits headquarters on Election Night
Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan, center, hugs his wife, Jane, after thanking his supporters and staff for their efforts on Tuesday at his campaign headquarters in Merrillville. Also pictured is Mike Millsap, District 7 director for the United Steelworkers. A majority of votes helped seal Mrvan's win as the successor to longtime U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Chris Chyung thanks his supporters Tuesday night as he concedes the election.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Chris Chyung thanks his supporters Tuesday night as he concedes the election.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Chris Chyung thanks his supporters Tuesday night as he concedes the election.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Chris Chyung, left, chats with Schererville Democratic Party Chairman Tom Schmitt.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Schererville Democratic Party Chairman Tom Schmitt, left, chats with Chris Chyung.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Schererville Democratic Party Chairman Tom Schmitt, left, and precinct vice committeeman Alex Gorman add vote totals to the leader board.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Schererville Democratic Party Chairman Tom Schmitt, left, and precinct vice committeeman Alex Gorman add vote totals to the leader board.
Gerry Scheub and Chris Chyung gather at Andorra Banquets
Schererville Democratic Party Chairman Tom Schmitt, left, chats with Chris Chyung as the two check the board containing election returns.
Republicans gather at Region Ale
Lake County Councilman Christian Jorgensen, left, chats with Julie Olthoff and her husband Ron.
Republicans gather at Region Ale
Julie Olthoff checks numbers as her husband Ron Olthoff looks on.
Republicans gather at Region Ale
Julie Olthoff chats with supporter Vickie Walters.
Republicans gather at Region Ale
Hal Slager, left, chats with volunteer John Stefanelli Tuesday night as they wait for election results.
Gallery
Dan Carden
Chief Political Reporter
Dan has reported on Indiana state government for The Times since 2009. He also covers casinos, campaigns and corruption.
