With turnout expected to exceed 65 percent for the Nov. 8 General Election, Hamilton County will operate early-voting centers in Carmel and Fishers for the first time this year.
Early voting begins Oct. 12 at the Hamilton County Government & Judicial Center in downtown Noblesville. Satellite voting centers at Fishers City Hall and the Carmel Clay Public Library open a week later. (
See and print a schedule.)
Allowing registered voters to cast their ballots before Election Day is a convenience for those who may not be able to make it to their precincts in November. And as Hamilton County’s population grows, it also helps to limit long lines at the polls.
That’s a particular concern during presidential election years, since more residents tend to exercise their right to vote. Indiana voters also will choose a new governor and a new senator this year.
“We can’t do it all on one day anymore,” County Elections Administrator Kathy Richardson said.
Given the popularity of early voting during the May primary—a record 11,000-plus Hamilton County voters cast ballots in advance—it made sense to add locations outside of Noblesville. Carmel and Fishers were chosen this year because they are the two largest cities, Richardson said, but if all goes well other sites could be added in the future.
Oct. 11 is the deadline to register to vote in the November election.