2024 General Election: Important Return Dates
In Indiana, voted absentee ballots must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5th, in order to be counted.
Absentee voting is available if you meet any of the criteria below. 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 in order to be counted. You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on your Secretary of State website. Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day.
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
Requesting an Absentee Ballot:
If you are eligible to vote absentee, you must fill out the absentee voting application. You must submit your application for an absentee ballot at least 12 days before the election. If you are a confined voter or a voter caring for a confined individual, there are other deadlines and requirements that apply.
ID Requirements for Requesting Absentee Ballot
NOTE: Starting in July 2023, when you request your absentee ballot using either the paper application or online, you will need to provide the last four digits of your social security number and either your driver's license number, state identification card number, unique voter identification number, or submit a photocopy of acceptable photo identification. If you fail to provide these ID numbers, you will have an opportunity to cure your request, but it may result in a delay in receiving your mail ballot.
Voted ballots must be received by 6 pm (close of polls) on Election Day in order to be counted.
In-person Absentee Voting
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.
Request your Ballot