The Indiana Election Commission should be starting any second.

The panel is doing some administrative stuff - accepting minutes etc.

The commission accepted some campaign finance settlement agreements.

We are waiting for the last item - "General Election Planning."

They are doing some candidate challenges right now.

"Well that's not the worst thing we've had," member Anthony Long says after a candidate's computer announces it is 11 o'clock.

Hehe - porn popped up a few months ago.

The judicial candidate is dismissed from ballot. He lost in primary and tried to run in general as Green Party. Current law prohibits that.

Now General Election planning. Chairman Paul Okeson says he knows some want to discuss absentee by mail.

He reminds the group the commission is currently involved in multiple federal lawsuits addressing voting by mail Nov. 3.

Okeson thinks it's premature for commission to take any action until judges rule in the cases.

He says large amounts of PPE are being gathered to ensure safety at the polls in November.

Face masks for poll workers and voters; social distancing markers, hand sanitizer etc will be provided to counties.

Voter outreach ad campaign will begin around Labor Day.

Okeson moves for adoption of an order allowing envelope opening machines for absentee ballots. Only Marion County can do this now - other counties have to open them by hand. He says hours of counting will be saved.

Democrat member Anthony Long proposes no-fault absentee voting as state did in the primary. This would mean a Hoosier voter could request a mail ballot for any reason.

Long says President Trump supports this - noting his support of the practice in Florida.

Long points out we went from having 80 cases a day in March to more than 1,000 cases today.

He said as of yesterday more than 37,000 requests for absentee ballots so far this year. Four years ago it was only 109.

Long says this is indicative of the concern and fear among voting population. He points out Superintendent of Public Instruction supports it due to polling locations in schools.

"This is a public health matter to me," Long said.

He said if people show up without masks on, can't turn them away.

Long says people are taking extraordinary precautions - says Hoosiers shouldn't have to make a choice between risking their health and right to vote.

Long is a Democrat and now Okeson - the Republican chairman - addresses the topic.

There is a lot to consider here, he said. Competing motions on the table.

Republican member Zach Klutz says the Democrat motion is extensive and was sent around 11:30 p.m. last night and staff forwarded this morning. Wants separate votes.

Democrat Suzannah Overholt Wilson says the Democrat motion includes the envelope opener language as well. Notes that is a straight-out recognition that people want to vote absentee by mail because of the pandemic.

She also says none of the lawsuits are seeking monetary relief - want a change in how the election will be conducted.

This motion is about protecting voters/ensuring they can vote without risking their health.

"That's a reality right now," Overholt Wilson said.

She says can't wait to make changes. It's almost a 30 day process to request the ballot it, get it, fill it out and mail it back.

There is no reason to wait for the courts.

Overholt Wilson said the procedures agreed to in the spring were reasonable and are even more reasonable now.

Okeson no one disagrees about protecting health and well-being of voters - which is why he mentioned stockpiling PPE.

He says election commission isn't a policy-making body and those decisions should be made by the General Assembly.

Klutz said just because order was agreed on in the primary doesn't mean he supports same now. Biggest issue was stay-at-home order that was in place when made the change and not knowing when it would be lifted.

Changing reasons to vote by mail is a policy change that is "not in our purview to do."

The machines are to help count ballots for those that already qualify to vote by mail.

Long says we are in a public health emergency. He says he is truly disappointed that Gov. Eric Holcomb isn't leading on this. We have stalled moving forward in the phases because of the situation we are facing.

"This thing is not slowing down," he said.

Long said he cannot in good conscience tell people they have to go in person. Especially those with co-morbidities.

Okeson disagrees - commending Holcomb for his leadership during the pandemic.

Long is saying he will withdraw motion if Okeson sets a public hearing to take testimony on mail-in voting. Discuss the practical deadlines of ordering supplies and card stock etc.

Longer it's delayed might not be able to do it.

Long mentions the Tully case - which is the suit asking judge to force expansion of absentee mail-in voting.

He notes nothing is stopping commission from acting - in fact would probably mean the litigation would end.

*A personal note that I just checked this morning and one of my articles was filed as an exhibit in that case. It is fully briefed and judge could rule soon.

Holcomb said recently it could come by Labor Day - not sure where he is getting that date.

They are going over the very long Democrat motion, which has a ton in it besides expansion of mail-in. Lots of new language thrown out with only a few hours notice.

The motion also mandates the wearing of face masks for poll workers and they can be removed.

*Democrats are putting a lot of new stuff into the motion with no notice, which makes it an easy no for Republicans.

Okeson said there is bipartisan and unanimous agreement on letter openers but not Democrat motion.

Okeson won't commit to a full hearing on expanding mail-in balloting. Long doesn't want to vote on letter opener language without doing the other as well.

So motion to amend Democrat language into Republican motion fails 2-2. Republicans against and Democrats for.

The GOP motion fails 2-2 as well. So no letter-opening machines for county officials.

Now Long is presenting some sort of advisory opinion on how commission handles questions about what box to check for absentee ballot.

"Maybe you could have emailed it out at midnight - 30 minutes after you emailed the other. This is unacceptable," Klutz says.

Long makes a motion to include advisory opinion in the minutes and then supports adjourning.

Klutz says it has not been presented.
Long says if he was sitting in Indianapolis he would hand it to him; sending by email.

Okeson says this is an end run because Democrat motion failed.

Long says it is a secondary effort to stand up for Hoosiers who are frightened to vote in person. Fall back position for voters.

Long said he had heard Attorney General Curtis Hill might weigh in with an opinion on the topic

Long says this opinion would say fear of pandemic would be a legitimate reason to vote absentee by mail.

Okeson says Long is trying to "sneak one around the corner" because Democrat motion failed.

Motion fails to include this advisory opinion in the minutes.

Motion to adjourn is accepted. Meeting is over.