Indiana Voting Guide

Am I eligible to vote in Indiana?

To vote in Indiana elections, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States
• An Indiana resident who has lived in the precinct where you intend to vote for at least 30 days
• At least 18 years of age on Election Day

Indiana residents in prison for the commission of a crime cannot exercise their right to vote. Those either on probation, parole, or who have fully completed their sentence can again exercise their right to vote and cast a ballot.

When is the Indiana voter registration deadline?

Your application must be received, completed online, or postmarked no later than 29 days before Election Day. You must sign, mail, and deliver the paper forms to your voter registration officials in person on or before the statewide voter registration deadline.

How do I request an absentee ballot in Indiana?

Absentee ballots are issued to Indiana voters who:

• Expect to be away from their voting precinct on Election Day
• Have a disability
• Are 65 or older
• Have official election duties outside of their voting precinct
• Will be working during the 12 hours the polls are open
• Are confined due to illness or injury
• Are prevented from voting for religious reasons
• Participate in the state’s address confidentiality program
• Are in the military
• Are classified as a serious sex offender
• Cannot vote because there is no available transportation going to the polling place

In-Person Absentee Voting

Indiana state law mandates counties to provide in-person absentee voting for 28 days before election day, concluding at noon the day before the election. All counties must also offer in-person absentee voting on two Saturdays immediately preceding the election.

Vote Absentee by Mail

A voter who wishes to vote absentee by mail should fill out an application for absentee ballot by mail before each election. The county election official should receive the application on or before 11:59 p.m. local time, 12 days before election day.

It is important to remember that the state or county clerk should have the voter registration application on or before the deadline. If they receive your application after 11:59 p.m. local time, 12 days before the election, they cannot process it even if it was postmarked before the deadline.

Voter registration for college students involves making a choice. They can only register at either the address where they reside during school or at their address when not attending school.

What are the ID requirements when I apply for absentee voting?

As of July 1, 2023, Indiana voters applying for absentee ballots need to provide either a photocopy of an ID card that complies with the photo ID law of the state or one or more of the following voter identification numbers:

• Indiana driver’s license number or an Indiana identification card number
• A unique voter ID number is assigned to the voter’s registration record or
• The last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number

If you have questions about the requirements, check the Indiana Secretary of State website.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Indiana?

Even if registered to vote, you must present a government-issued ID at the polling place. Under Indiana Code, your photo ID should meet four criteria for it to be acceptable:

1. It must show your photo.
2. Your photo ID must show your name, which must match the one on your voter registration record.
3. It must show an expiration date except for ID issued by some government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, a branch of uniformed services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or a Native American Indian tribe.
4. It should be issued by the U.S. government or the state of Indiana.

Examples of acceptable ID include:

• Valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state identification card
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Military ID

You may cast a provisional ballot if you don’t have an acceptable ID.

What special accommodations are available?

All of Indiana’s polling places have at least one accessible voting machine in every polling place and can accommodate disabled voters. These accommodations include:

• Parking area sufficient for disabled parking
• Accessible route from the parking area to the entrance to the facility
• Touchscreen voting machines and magnifying devices

Voters who need special assistance or have mobility issues can vote on Election Day. The voter can designate a relative or a friend to help them vote.

If the voter does not have anyone else to assist them, two poll workers from one of each political party will help. The person assisting the voter should complete an affidavit available at the polling place.

What should I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you see or experience anything that seems illegal at the polls or have complaints about an election official, you should report it.

Notify the Indiana Secretary of State if you:

• Witness a crime such as voter fraud or intimidation
• Believe an election official broke the law or abused their discretion
• Experienced a violation of the Help America Vote Act

You can also contact an attorney experienced in voting laws if you feel your voting rights have been violated.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Consider consulting with a civil rights attorney if you believe your voting rights have been violated.