Sec. 19. (a) Subject to IC 3-5-4-9, a ballot that is mailed must bear the circuit court clerk's official seal and signature or facsimile signature on the back of the ballot. Before the ballot is mailed:
(1) the two (2) members of the absentee voter board in the office of the circuit court clerk; or
(2) the two (2) appointed members of the county election board or their designated representatives;
shall place their initials in ink on the back of the ballot. The initials must be in the persons' ordinary handwriting or printing and without a distinguishing mark of any kind. No other initialing of the absentee ballot is necessary.
(b) An absentee ballot that is voted before an absentee voter board under IC 3-11-10-25, IC 3-11-10-26, or IC 3-11-10-26.3, must bear the seal, signature, and initials prescribed by IC 3-11-10-27.
(c) An absentee voter board member or county election board member or the member's representative shall not place the individual's initials on the absentee ballot:
(1) until after the voter's application for that ballot has been approved; or
(2) more than twenty-four (24) hours before the absentee ballot is mailed to the voter.
A ballot initialed under this subsection must be under the control of two (2) individual members or representatives of opposite political parties until the ballot is mailed to the voter.
[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-22-5(b).]
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.6-1986, SEC.18; P.L.3-1987, SEC.230; P.L.263-2003, SEC.2; P.L.157-2019, SEC.15; P.L.193-2021, SEC.39.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 11. Voting Methods, Supplies, and Equipment
Chapter 4. Eligibility and Application for Absentee Ballot
3-11-4-0.5. When an Absentee Ballot Is Considered Sent to a Voter
3-11-4-1. Entitlement to Vote by Absentee Ballot in Clerk's Office or Satellite Office; Conditions
3-11-4-1.5. Application of Chapter to Certain Voters
3-11-4-2. Application for Absentee Ballot; Completion; Execution; Handling; Affidavits
3-11-4-4. Manner of Making Application; Furnished Forms; Fax and Electronic Mail Applications
3-11-4-5.1. Application Form; Contents
3-11-4-8. Nonresident Overseas Voter; Entitled to Receive Only Federal Ballots; Precinct of Voter
3-11-4-10. Estimate of Number of Ballots Required
3-11-4-17.7. Replacement Official Ballots
3-11-4-17.8. Official Replacement Ballots; Procedures
3-11-4-18. Transmitting Ballots; Tracking Ballots; Additional Documentation; Voter Education Program
3-11-4-18.5. Challenge Absentee Voter Application; Affidavit; Referral to County Election Board
3-11-4-20. Envelope; Enclosure of Ballot; Addressee