Nearly 700,000 Counted As Inactive Voters, Can Still Vote

INDIANAPOLIS – Over 696,000 people have been marked as inactive voters but can still cast a ballot in November.

In June, the Secretary of State Election Division mailed approximately 756,000 postcards to Hoosier voters asking them to update their voter registration information.

About 47,000 residents in Indiana participated in the voter list refresh by updating their voter registration by the July 24 due date.

Officials say 258,000 postcards were unreturned and 450,000 were returned as undeliverable by the post office.

Counties election officials have been using the information to update Indiana’s list of voters. They take the mailings to identify inaccurate voter registration information and mark those voters’ records as inactive. To date, 696,407 Hoosiers have been marked inactive.

A voter on the inactive list can still vote in November. Being on the inactive list means a voter did not update or confirm their information. If the voter casts a ballot from that address in November, their record will be reclassified as active.

The voter list refresh project gives election officials a more accurate view of voter participation in future elections. With voter lists bloated with inaccurate information, turnout statistics are skewed.

Secretary of State Connie Lawson said, “I know there is still work to be done, but I wish to commend the counties for their cooperation and patience during this process.  Their experience and feedback will help guide us when the next voter list refresh is conducted in two years.”

All voters are encouraged to check their voter registration information online at www.indianavoters.com or at their local county clerk’s office and update their information if necessary.