Republicans Block Expanded Early Voting Hours in Marion County

The only Republican representative on the Marion County Election Board blocked a motion to have satellite early voting locations open two hours longer on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to long lines throughout the county.

"Republicans in Indiana are becoming experts at disenfranchising voters," said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. "We've seen long lines in Indianapolis and across the state because Hoosiers are excited to vote in this election. Democrats have moved to expand ballot access across the state due to long lines in Fort Wayne, West Lafayette, and Indianapolis and elsewhere, Republicans have blocked those efforts and made it more difficult for Hoosiers to cast a ballot. This is something voters want - they do not want to wait in lines, or can't afford to, even in the best weather."

"Indiana already has a lot of trouble getting out the vote. Twisted efforts by Todd Rokita and Diego Morales to disenfranchise around 600,000 registered voters have fostered fear and a lack of trust among Hoosiers, which only serves to harm us in the long run."

"To decline to expand accessibility in a state that is already suffering from a lack of civic engagement and long lines proves what we already know: that one-party Republican rule must come to an end to give all Hoosiers a voice in our state."

According to indyvotetimes.org, wait times have exceeded an hour at many of the early voting locations throughout the county. Despite this, the Republican member on the board blocked a motion to open all locations two hours longer at the Election Board meeting on Thursday evening.

The proposal would have led to 48 hours of more voting opportunities for those in Indianapolis.

The Republican board member also blocked a motion to keep one northside site and one southside site open longer.

All satellite locations in Marion County will be open from 11 AM - 6 PM this weekend, and the City-County Building will be open from 8 AM - 10 PM on Friday and 11 AM - 10 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Indiana currently ranks last in voter turnout. The 2023 Indiana Civic Health Index found that out of 50 states plus DC, Indiana took the 50th spot. When it comes to voter registration, the state ranks marginally better at number 40.

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