Confined voters have Election Board seeking safe solutions
Thursday Oct. 15 is the first day a confined voter, a voter caring for a confined person at a private residence, or a voter with disabilities may vote an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board at the voter’s residence or place of confinement.
Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk Deborah Vandemark explained that changes were made during the Primary Election the State of Indiana made changes regarding entry into nursing homes due to the lock-down resulting from the pandemic. She noted many of those institutions have remained on lockdown.
She requested clarification on how to proceed with the General Election as it pertains to confined voters and the travel board; specifically where it pertains to nursing homes. “There are five nursing homes in Marshall County that are con
sidered actual “confined” nursing homes. The Election Division says that we will follow the law as it is written for this election. There will be no exceptions.”
Indiana Code Title 3. Elections SS 3-11-10-25 states in subsection (c) states:
This subsection applies to a voter confined due to illness or injury. An absentee voter board may not be denied access to the voter’s place of confinement if the board is present at the place of confinement at a time: (1) agreed to by the board and the voter; and (2) during the regular office of the Circuit Court Clerk. A person who knowingly violates this subsection commits obstruction or interference with an election officer in the discharge of the officer’s duty, a violation of IC 3-14-3-4.
Vandemark spoke to two issues: the law provides the right to vote to confined voters and the health department restricting access to certain facilities due to COVID-19.
Vandemark said, “The concern goes both ways.” She validated the need to protect persons from exposure from outside entities coming in, and the need to protect members of the travel board from potential exposure by entering a facility where a COVID-19 positive case has been confirmed.
Vandemark said that the Marshall County Election Board can elect two persons at a nursing home facility to act as travel board. She noted that it would be ideal, but may be a challenge to find a Democrat and a Republican at each facility. She will be in contact with each facility to see what can be accommodated.
The next Marshall County Election Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 8:30 a.m.