Clerk urges residents to apply early for absentee ballots and recruits student poll workers

Secretary Kate Sweeney Bell reminded residents that absentee ballots require an application and urged voters to submit applications early to allow time for approval and mailing. She directed people to vote.indy.gov (which redirects to the state site with an Indiana ID) or to call the county office at 317-327-5100 for assistance.

"In order to become a poll worker, you must be a registered voter of Marion County or a student who is either 16 or 17 years old and has a 3.0 GPA," Bell said, describing eligibility and noting students also need school and parental permission. She encouraged students and community members to sign up, emphasizing that poll-worker roles provide experience and support voter access during an expected high-turnout election.

Bell also described civic outreach efforts, including demonstrations of voting equipment with the League of Women Voters at local high schools and invitations for student poll-worker signups at multiple schools. She provided the office phone number (317-327-5100) and said ballots will be mailed out next week to approved absentee applicants.

Why this matters: Timely absentee applications and sufficient poll-worker staffing are critical to smooth election operations and voter access, especially during higher-turnout cycles.