Mail-in ballot request at an all-time high during pandemic

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- It's election day in Michiana, and while people are out casting their votes in person, mail-in voting hit an all-time high this year.

The County building on Lincoln Way in Mishawaka is one of the many polling places that's open today for voters. But, many people are forgoing the traditional way to vote due to COVID-19. Earlier this year, officials encouraged people to try mail-in voting. St. Joe County issued the most mail-in ballots for a primary.

However, some might argue that it's not a perfect system. Last week, Indiana's top election official rejected a request to extend the deadline for returning mail-in ballots. The request was made because of worries that the absentee ballots could arrive late and go uncounted.

Another issue voters have faced include, not receiving their mail-in ballot. As of last Thursday, nearly 550,000 Indiana voters had asked for a mail-in ballot, that's 10 times the number of mail-in ballots cast four years ago. 

The deadline requires that all mail-in ballots get to the election office by noon or it won't be counted.