LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6507 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 25, 2021
BILL NUMBER: SB 117 BILL AMENDED: Jan 25, 2021
SUBJECT: Absentee Voting.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Mrvan BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 1st House
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: X GENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill permits a voter who is qualified to vote in person to vote by absentee
ballot. It removes all other qualifications for a voter to vote by absentee ballot except for a voter with
disabilities who is unable to make a voting mark on the ballot or sign the absentee ballot secrecy envelope.
(Such a disabled voter is currently required to vote before an absentee voter board.)
Effective Date: July 1, 2021.
Explanation of State Expenditures: It is possible the Election Division would combine the forms for the
absentee mail ballot and voting by traveling board applications as a result of the bill. The in-person form
would likely be retained. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration would be able to edit the
Division’s forms from their website as a routine matter of business.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Summary– The bill could increase county ballot expenditures if more
individuals request absentee ballots in future elections. Mailed absentee ballots are sent to voters postage
prepaid. If more voters requested an absentee ballot by mail, county postage costs may also increase.
Additionally, county clerk offices may experience an increase in workload to process any additional absentee
ballot applications that may occur under this provision.
Additional Information– During the 2020 general election, 563,727 individuals voted absentee ballot by mail.
Absentee ballots cost per ballot can vary based on the number of ballots ordered by a county. A couple of
states have reported optical-scan ballot costs of $0.10 to $0.17 per ballot, although, the cost per ballot can
SB 117 1
be higher.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indiana Election Division.
Local Agencies Affected: Precinct election boards, absentee voter boards, circuit court clerks, county
election boards.
Information Sources: http://www.votersunite.org/info/PaperBallotPrintingCosts.pdf; Indiana Election
Division, 2020 general election absentee ballot data.
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker, 317-232-9851.
SB 117 2


Statutes affected:
2. Senate Bill (S): 3-11-4-1, 3-11-4-2, 3-11-4-18, 3-11-10-24