Monroe County Voting Guide

For the November 7 General Election

 

Phone number, location , and parking for Voting Services

Voting services are available through the Absentee Office of the Monroe County Clerk (349-2612) and the Voter Registration Office (349-2690) which are located in Bloomington in the Justice Building at 301 N. College Avenue (corner of 7th Street and College Avenue).  There is a pay parking garage on 7th Street, across from the Justice Building.  Early voting, from October 10 through noon on November 6, will take place in the Curry Building at 238 W. 7th Street in Bloomington which is also accessible from the parking garage.

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote in Indiana if the following apply:

• you will be at least 18 years old by the general election on November 7, 2006,
• you are a citizen of the United States,
• you will have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days by November 7, 2006.

To confirm whether you are registered to vote at your current address, contact the Voter Registration Office, 349-2690.

How do I register to vote?

You must be registered by October 10, 2006 in order to vote in the November 7 general election.  You may register in person at the Voter Registration Office in the Justice Building, 301 N. College Avenue, Bloomington, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Registration forms are also available at public libraries, license branches and local government offices or at the Secretary of State=s web site: www.in.gov/sos/elections.  Voter registration forms can be mailed to the Monroe County Clerk, P.O. Box 547, Bloomington, IN  47402.

Do I have to register again if I’ve just moved?

If you have moved more than 29 days before the election, you must file a new registration application to change your address.  This can be done either in person at the Voter Registration Office or by mailing the form to the Clerk=s Office.  If you do not change your registration, you may not be eligible to vote at your former address.  If you move to another address within 29 days of the election, contact the Voter Registration Office.

When can I vote?

There are three options for voting in the general election:

• Voting at the polls on November 7,
• Early Voting at the Curry Building,
• Casting an Absentee Ballot by Mail.

These options are explained below.

Voting at the polls on November 7

Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 7.  A government issued photo ID will be required.  Since the location of polling places sometimes changes between elections, you can call the Voter Registration Office (349-2690) to find out where your polling place will be located. 

Early Voting at the Curry Building

Early voting is available to every registered voter in Monroe County beginning October 10 and continuing through noon on November 6.  Early voting is offered to make voting more convenient by expanding the times when you may cast your ballot.  By voting early you ensure that your vote will be cast regardless of bad weather, long lines at the polls, or last minute complications that could prevent you from getting out to vote on November 7.  This process is sometimes called Absentee Voting in Person.  If, for any reason, you find it more convenient to vote before November 7, you can cast your ballot at the Curry Building (238 W. 7th Street in Bloomington) any time Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 10 through noon on November 6.  Early voting is also available at the Curry Building on two Saturdays, October 28 and November 4, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  You must provide a government issued photo identification when you vote.

Casting an Absentee Ballot by Mail

Absentee voting by mail is available to those who are unable to vote at the polls on November 7 for a variety of specific reasons.  These reasons are listed on the Application for Absentee Ballot and include being 65 years of age or older, absence from the county for the entire 12 hours the polls are open, disabilities, illness, or scheduled work during the entire 12 hours the polls are open.

Absentee voting by mail is a four-step process.  First, obtain an Application for Absentee Ballot by calling the Clerk’s Office or by printing it from the Secretary of State’s web site:  www.in.gov/sos/elections.  Second, complete the application and mail it to the Monroe County Clerk, P.O. Box 547, Bloomington, IN  47402.  It must be received in the Clerk’s Office by October 30.  Next, you will be sent an Absentee Ballot.  The Clerk will begin to mail out Absentee Ballots on September 28.  The final step is to complete the ballot and mail it back to the Clerk.  The completed ballot must be received by mail at the Clerk’s Office no later than noon on November 7.