Today, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced that 58 percent – or 2,663,367 – of Indiana’s 4.5 million registered voters cast a ballot in the November 6th General Election. The turnout in this election cycle was less than the 62 percent reported in the historic 2008 presidential election, but equal to the 58 percent reported for the 2004 presidential election. Wells County had the highest turnout in the state at 72 percent.

Absentee ballots comprised 22 percent of the total ballots cast, a slight decrease from 24 percent in 2008, but a dramatic increase from the 10 percent in 2004. The complete 2012 General Election Turnout and Absentee Chart with voter statistics for each county can be viewed online.

Secretary Lawson used this election cycle as an opportunity to observe vote center counties and to look for ways to improve the election process. As a state senator, Secretary Lawson authored legislation giving counties the option to adopt vote centers, which consolidate multiple precincts into a single location so counties save on costs associated with hiring poll workers and purchasing voting machines and supplies. Vote centers have the potential to significantly improve efficiency and reduce county election costs. Johnson County switched to vote centers this year and is expected to save an estimated $60,000.

“Traveling the state to observe our diverse vote center counties has given me a first-hand look at the benefits of this option,” said Secretary Lawson. “Vote centers provide voters with the flexibility to vote anywhere in the county at their convenience, reducing lines and the stress of peak times generally seen at traditional precinct locations.

“Counties continue to learn from experience, and further refine the administration of the vote center process. I expect more counties will move to the vote center model as local governments look for ways to cut costs while enhancing voter convenience.”

Blackford, Johnson and Switzerland counties used vote centers for the first time during the primary, while Tippecanoe, Cass and Wayne counties continued the practice after successful elections in previous years. Vanderburgh County also established countywide vote centers after a positive experience with the Evansville Municipal Election. Howard and Floyd counties have already announced they will move to the voter center model in 2014.

Secretary Lawson plans to use 2013 to travel the state and bring together local leaders to discuss the vote center model and to help counties properly plan for a 2014 or 2015 roll out.