This year’s primary election is coming up on June 2nd in Indiana, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps says that there are already record numbers of mail-in absentee ballots being cast. As of last week, more than 6,300 absentee mail-in ballots had been requested and nearly 3,300 had already been returned. He said he is nearly 7,000 ballots cast by mail this election. You do still have the opportunity to vote early by mail.  The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is coming up on Friday.

You need to have that ballot filled out and returned to the clerk’s office by mail so it arrives by noon on June 2nd.

NFL facilities could be open as soon as Tuesday.  Commissioner Roger Goodell told owners and presidents they can do so if state and local guidelines allow it and they have necessary health requirements in place.  They must remain closed if they do not meet the criteria.

Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps is warning that you will see some changes this primary election, because of a shortage of poll workers. Phelps explains that they have had nearly 50 percent of the county’s Election Day poll workers drop out, you are going to see fewer vote centers in the community.  This election instead of 16 vote centers countywide, there will only be eight vote centers, Phelps says.

Phelps said that his office has been surprised by the number of poll workers who have dropped out. He said that the Democratic party has gone through its entire list of backup poll workers already and the Republicans only have one worker on their backup list.

The average age of Bartholomew County poll workers is 71 and many of them just don’t feel comfortable working at the vote centers this year. Poll workers will be required to wear masks and gloves and to sanitize all of the voting equipment. He said that is going to add to an already long day, which is normally 13 hours for workers on election day.

There will also be changes to in-person early voting. Phelps said because of social distancing requirements in the Bartholomew County Courthouse and concerns from judges and other staff, there will not be in-person absentee voting at the courthouse. Instead, you will be able to have in-person absentee voting only at Donner Center this year.

If you are interested in being a poll worker on election day, you should contact the voter registration office at 812-379-1604 or your party headquarters.

Bartholomew County Works will be offering its next job readiness training workshop the week of June 8th at YES Cinema.

Workshop topics include applications, resumes, interviews and other job related skills needed in the workforce. Participants are required to attend the week-long workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Class size is limited and the deadline to apply is by 5 p.m. on June 3rd.

Due to COVID-19, the facility will undergo additional cleaning procedures to ensure the safety and health of participants. If you, or someone you know could benefit from this training and would like more information, you can call Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center at 812-379-1630.