INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — More voters could cast ballots at centralized polling sites instead of traditional neighborhood precincts — or submit absentee ballots by mail without giving an excuse — under a bill that cleared a House committee Wednesday.

The House Elections Committee voted unanimously for the bill, which would allow any county to opt for vote centers if the local election board unanimously approved the change.

Supporters say the bill gives voters more options and could encourage greater turnout. But the bill may meet some friction as it moves through the legislative process.

Although the vote center concept won support in the Republican-controlled Senate this year, GOP leaders in the chamber have opposed no-excuse absentee balloting by mail in the past.

Under current Indiana law, anyone voting absentee-by-mail must meet certain provisions, such as being out of the county on Election Day or working through voting hours. Voters do not have to give an excuse if they cast an absentee ballot in person before Election Day.

The House Elections Committee added no-excuse absentee voting by mail to the vote center legislation last week, saying it made sense for the two measures to be in the same bill since they both make it easier to cast ballots.

The bill now moves to the full Democrat-controlled House for consideration. If it passes, it would likely go to a conference committee, where senators and representatives could try to hammer out a compromise.

"You could call this a work in progress," said Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington.

Two Indiana counties — Tippecanoe and Wayne — used vote centers for their most recent elections as part of a state pilot program exploring the scattered polling sites, where voters can go regardless of their precinct.

County officials say it saved money and required fewer poll workers while getting good reviews from the public.

Some caution that the concept may not work everywhere. With fewer voting locations, many people have to travel farther to vote. That can be a problem for people without transportation.

Under the proposal, counties are required to have at least one vote center for every 10,000 active voters.