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Indiana

Upcoming Election Dates & Registration Deadlines

Some elections in this list are local and do not apply for all Indiana voters. Please click the “View all” button below to view all election dates in your state.

Next Election: Primary
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Primary Election Day

Registration Deadlines

Monday, April 6, 2026
By Mail (postmarked)
Monday, April 6, 2026
In Person
Monday, April 6, 2026

03

Nov
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
General
General Election Day

Indiana Voting Information

Absentee Ballot Process

Absentee voting in Indiana is limited to those with certain eligibility requirements. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 12 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail, in person at your local elections office, or online.  

Voted ballots must be received by 6 pm (close of polls) on Election Day to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State website. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE?  

If you wish to have your absentee ballot sent to you by mail, you must meet at least one of the qualifying excuses on Election Day: 

  • Have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from your county of residence on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) 
  • Be an election official 
  • Be confined on Election Day due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open or caring for a confined person at a private residence. 
  • Be a voter with disabilities that believes their polling place is not accessible to them 
  • Be 65 years of age or older 
  • Be a caretaker of an individual(s) confined to a private residence due to illness or injury and prevented from voting during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open 
  • Be scheduled to work for the entire 12 hours that the poll is open 
  • Are prevented from voting due to observing a religious discipline or holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open 
  • Be participating in the address confidentiality program 
  • Be a member of the military or public safety officer 
  • Be considered a "serious sex offender" 
  • Are prevented from voting due to not having transportation to the polls 
  • A voter who is physically unable to complete the ballot and sign the affidavit on their own 

HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

You have a few ways to request an absentee ballot: 

  • Online: Log in and select “ABS Mail” “ABS Mail (Por Correo)” 
  • By mail or hand-delivery: Find the address for your local elections office here and mail it or hand-deliver your application during their office hours. 
  • By email: Print, sign, and scan or photograph your absentee ballot application and, if applicable, a copy of your ID card and send it to your local elections office or the Indiana Election Division at elections@iec.in.gov. 

If you are a confined voter or a voter caring for a confined individual, there are other deadlines and requirements that apply.  

A first-time voter in Indiana who registered to vote by mail and did not provide proof of residency either with their voter registration application or absentee ballot application will be asked to provide the documentation before 6pm on Election Day. 

WHAT ARE THE ID REQUIREMENTS TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

When requesting your absentee ballot, you will need to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID, like your driver’s license, BMV ID card, or your passport, OR one or more of the following numbers on your application: 

  • Indiana Driver’s License Number 
  • Indiana Identification Card Number 
  • Unique Voter Identification Number 
  • Last Four Digits of Social Security Number 

It is recommended that you provide more than one ID number on your application since at least one will need to match your voter’s registration record or match against the number maintained by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles or US Social Security Administration.   

If you fail to provide a copy of your ID or one of the ID numbers listed above, your absentee ballot may be delayed. You will receive notice from your county election administrator if your application is rejected. 

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

The last day to request an absentee ballot is 12 days before the election.   

The county or the state must have your application in their possession by the deadline. Any application received after this deadline – even if it’s postmarked before the deadline – cannot be processed. 

DO I HAVE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR EACH ELECTION? 

Yes, you must submit a separate application for each election. 

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?  

Voted ballots must be received by 6 pm (close of polls) on Election Day. 

County election officials must receive your absentee ballot by 6pm on Election Day. If it’s postmarked by the deadline, but physically received after the deadline, your ballot won't be processed by the Election Board. 

HOW DO I VOTE IN-PERSON ABSENTEE? 

State law requires counties to offer in-person absentee voting for 28 days leading up to the election, ending at noon the day before Election Day. All Indiana counties must also provide in-person absentee voting on the two Saturdays before the election. 

Please click here to view your county’s absentee-in-person or Early Voting dates, times, and locations. 

WHEN ARE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM?  

Absentee ballots are mailed out starting 45 days before the election. 

HOW DO I RETURN MY VOTED ABSENTEE BALLOT?  

You can return your voted absentee ballot to the Election Board by mail in the postage-paid envelope, 

You can also hand deliver your ballot to your local elections office, an Early Voting location, or at your polling site before 6pm on Election Day. 

CAN I TRACK MY MAILED ABSENTEE BALLOT?  

You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State website. 

WHAT IF I REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON?  

You have a few options for voting in person if you requested an absentee ballot. You can choose one of the following: 

  • A voter may surrender their absentee ballot to the Inspector at the polling site, who can then issue a regular ballot. 
  • On Election Day, a voter who requested an absentee ballot but never received it in the mail may complete the PRE-5 affidavit at their polling location and vote a regular ballot. 
  • A voter who had their absentee ballot rejected by county officials may appear before the county election board not later than 5pm on Election Day to request an ABS-21 form and then go to their polling place to vote a regular ballot. 

HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AS AN OVERSEAS OR US MILITARY VOTER?  

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation. 

Request your Ballot

Ballot Notice and Cure Process

The deadline to cure (correct) your absentee/mail ballot is by noon 8 days after Election Day. Your county election board will notify you if there is a missing signature or a signature mismatch with your ballot and include instructions on how to file an affidavit to correct the issue.  

If you cast a provisional ballot due to not having the proper photo ID, you may appear before the county clerk before noon, 10 days after the election with your valid photo ID and fill out a form to correct the issue. 

You can check the status of your absentee/mail or provisional ballot by going to your state’s online tool and clicking on the “visit my voter portal” button. 

Campaign Finance Information

For information on federal campaign contributions, please visit Open Secrets.

For information on state campaign contributions, please visit your state's resource.

Candidate and Ballot Measure Information

Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

 

 

Drop Boxes

No drop boxes available.  

Early Voting

Early Voting Starts: 28 days before Election Day 

Early Voting Ends: Noon the day before Election Day 

In-person absentee voting can be done at your board of elections beginning 28 days before Election Day and no later than 12:00 pm on the day before Election Day. Each county has its own schedule, so be sure to check what the dates and times are in your area.

 

Election Dates

The next election date can be found here https://www.vote411.org/indiana.

For more information about your local elections please contact your local Board of Elections.

 

 

Election Day Voting Hours

Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on Election Day.

Eligibility Requirements

WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE IN INDIANA? 

You can register to vote in Indiana if: 

  • You are a US citizen and a resident of Indiana 
  • You will be at least 18 years old by the next general or municipal election 
  • You have lived in your voting precinct for at least 30 days before the election 
  • You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime 

 WHO CAN VOTE IN INDIANA? 

To can vote in Indiana if: 

  • You are registered to vote 
  • You are both a US citizen and a resident of Indiana 
  • You will be at least 18 years of age on or before Election Day 
  • You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime 
  • You have lived in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election 

CAN I VOTE IF I HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION? 

In Indiana, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a misdemeanor or felony conviction. If you lost your voting rights because of a conviction, you could register to vote immediately after release. Your voting rights are not restricted by pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole. 

CAN I REGISTER AND VOTE IF I DON’T HAVE A TRADITIONAL ADDRESS? 

Yes. Voters in Indiana without a traditional address, such as those experiencing homelessness or living in motor homes, can still register and vote. When registering: 

  • You must provide a location where you usually sleep in the county. 
  • If that location doesn’t have a street address, you can describe it or draw a map and attach it to your voter registration form. 
  • You must also provide a mailing address in the same county so election officials can send you important information. (A P.O. Box is acceptable for this purpose but cannot be used as your residence address.) 

Your county will review your application and send a registration card or notice to your mailing address. 

ID Needed for Voter Registration

AM I REQUIRED TO SHOW ID TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN INDIANA? 

It depends on how you register: 

  • If you register online, you must provide a valid Indiana driver’s license or state-issued ID number. 
  • If you register by mail or in person, you are not required to show ID when registering. However, if you are registering for the first time by mail, you may later be asked to provide a document that shows your name and current address. 

WHAT TYPES OF ID CAN I USE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN INDIANA? 

When registering online, you’ll need one of the following: 

  • A valid Indiana driver’s license number 
  • A valid Indiana state ID number 

If you’re later required to provide additional documentation (for example, as a first-time voter who registered by mail), you can use: 

  • An Indiana driver’s license or state ID with your current name and address 
  • A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or government document showing your name and current address 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE REQUIRED ID WHEN I REGISTER? 

You can still register to vote in Indiana without showing ID if registering by mail or in person. 

If registering online, you’ll need to provide your Indiana driver’s license or state ID number. Without it, the online system won’t allow you to register. 

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and don’t have the required documentation when voting, you may be asked to vote with a provisional ballot and return with the required documents or information to have your vote counted. 

If you don’t have an ID that meets Indiana’s voting requirements, you can get a free state ID card for voting purposes. To get this free ID at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch, you’ll need to bring certain documents. For details on what to bring, visit the BMV website

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline  

Official Election Results

Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are working around the clock to count an unprecedented number of ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.

Official election results will be uploaded on Indiana’s Secretary of State website as they become available.

Official Results

Overseas and Military Voters

You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Poll Worker Information

You can make sure we have safe, fair, and efficient elections for all. Become a poll worker today!

In order to be a poll worker in Indiana, you must:

  • Be registered to vote in Indiana
  • Be at least 18 years of age (or 16/17 if participating in Election Day Live)
  • Be entitled to compensation
  • Be a resident of the precinct for the 30 days prior to the election
  • Complete required training

To sign up, contact your local board of elections.

Polling Place Locations

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.

Primary Election Process

Indiana is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to cross party lines, however, they must first publicly declare their ballot choice. Ballot selection may also be regarded as a form of registration with the selected party. 

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Provisional Voting

If you believe you are registered to vote in a precinct, but your name does not appear on the poll list, or if you have been challenged as not qualified to vote in your precinct, you will cast a provisional ballot.

A provisional ballot allows you to vote on Election Day, however, your provisional ballot will be kept separate from the other ballots cast in that precinct. After Election Day, the county election board will decide if you were qualified to vote in that precinct, and if your ballot should be counted. You will be able to contact your county election board to find out if your ballot was counted, and if not, why not.

Provisional ballots are counted 10 days after the election.

Provisions for Voters with Disabilities

The polling place for each precinct must meet accessibility standards under federal law.

The polling place must have facilities accessible to elderly voters and voters with disabilities so that these voters have the same opportunity for access, participation, privacy, and independence available to all voters. This includes:

  • Parking spaces marked and available for voters with disabilities with blue signage
  • An accessible path to the facility that an individual travels to reach the polls
  • Accessible entrances to the facility
  • The paths of travel within the facility to the space where the voting systems are located
  • The space in the facility where the voting systems are located

If you believe that the polling place for your precinct does not comply with accessibility requirements, contact your county election board as soon as possible to inform them about this problem. It may be possible for the board to make temporary or permanent changes to the polling place to make it more accessible for all voters.

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Student Voting Process

What do I need to register to vote in Indiana? 

Here is what you need to know to register in Indiana: 

There are three methods of voter registration in Indiana: register in-person, register online, or mail a printable application to your local county registration office. 

Can I register to vote using my college address in Indiana? 

Yes, if you consider your campus address your residence, you can register to vote there. If you move to a different dorm or off campus, be sure to update your voter registration with your new address so you vote in the correct district.  

What’s the deadline to register to vote in Indiana? 

Indiana requires voters to register at least 29 days before the election. Be sure to check the exact date each year. 

What form of ID do I need to vote in Indiana? 

You must present a photo ID when voting in person in Indiana. This can include a driver’s license, passport, student ID from a state-supported college, or other accepted forms. 

I’m originally from another state, can I still vote in my home state while studying in Indiana? 

Yes, you can vote in your home state using an absentee ballot, but you'll need to follow your home state's rules and deadlines. You can find the rules for your state on VOTE411 or by contacting your state’s election office

Does registering to vote affect my financial aid, parents’ taxes, and/or tuition in Indiana? 

Registering to vote in your college community will not affect your Federal Financial Aid, status as a dependent on your parents’ taxes, or tuition status. 

Time Off To Vote

Time off to vote is subject to the employer, there is no requirement for employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Verify Voter Registration

To verify your voter registration status

 

click here!

Voter ID Requirements

DO I NEED TO SHOW ID WHEN I VOTE IN INDIANA? 

Yes. Indiana law requires voters to show a government-issued photo ID when voting in person on Election Day. However, there are exceptions for some voters who are confined or voting absentee by mail. 

WHAT TYPES OF ID CAN I USE TO VOTE IN INDIANA? 

To be accepted for voting, your ID must meet all of the following criteria: 

  1. Display your photo 
  2. Show a name that matches your voter registration record  
  3. Include an expiration date that is current or expired after the most recent general election 
  4. Be issued by the US government or the State of Indiana 

Most voters use one of the following: 

  • Indiana driver's license 
  • Indiana state-issued photo ID 
  • U.S. Passport 
  • Military ID 
  • ID issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
  • Indiana National Guard ID 
  • A tribal ID from a federally recognized Native American tribe (no expiration date required) 

Note: Student IDs from public Indiana schools may be used only if they meet all four requirements above. IDs from private colleges or universities cannot be used. 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE AN ACCEPTABLE ID WHEN I GO TO VOTE? 

You can still vote using a provisional ballot. After that, you must visit your county election board by noon 10 days after the election to present an acceptable photo ID or claim a legal exemption. If you don’t complete this step, your provisional ballot will not be counted. 

If you don’t have an ID that meets these requirements, you can get a free Indiana state ID card for voting at any BMV branch. Learn more here. 

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline 

Voter Registration Deadlines

Online registration deadline: 29 days before Election Day

Register by mail deadline: Postmarked 29 days before Election Day

In-person registration deadline: 29 days before Election Day

Not registered? Use our online registration tool to complete your application! 

Voting Machines

The voting machine systems used in Indiana are optical scan and DRE.

Optical Scan: With this system, you will receive a card or sheet of paper, which you take over to a private table or booth. The card has the names of the various candidates and ballot measures printed on it. With a pen or pencil you fill in a little box or circle or the space between two arrows. When you are finished filling out all the cards, you may bring the cards over to a ballot box, where poll workers will show you how to put the cards in the box. Or in some places, you may feed the completed cards or papers into a computer device that checks your card or paper right there at the polling place to make sure you have voted the way you want to and counts the votes.

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE): This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen.

There are many variations of DREs because lots of companies are inventing new ones, and many cities, counties and states are trying them out. Usually, after you have signed in, the poll workers will give you a card that you slide into a device to start your voting session.

Some of these devices will show all of the candidates and ballot choices on one big screen. Often, with these big screen devices you push a button next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for (or yes or no on a ballot measure). On other DREs, the screen is set up to show pages. On each screen or page, there will probably be one thing to vote on. For example, on one screen or page, you might vote for president. Then you might move to the next page to vote for senator. Often these small-screen devices have a touch screen, where you touch the screen next to the name of the person you want to vote for. Other devices have a key pad. Some have a keyboard, so you can write in the name of someone you want to vote for.

You let the system know you are finished voting by pushing a button, touching the screen or entering something on a keypad.

You can learn more about voting systems by checking out the Elections Assistance Commission's (EAC) resource or through Verified Voting.

Personalized voting information

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Indiana Department of State

Secretary of State

302 West Washington Street

Room E-204

Indianapolis 46204


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