Stay ahead of the curve as a political insider with deep policy analysis, daily briefings and policy-shaping tools.
Request a Demo![Indiana votes](https://stateaffairs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Indiana-votes-header.png)
(Design: Brittney Phan)
The general election may be seven months away, but thousands of Hoosiers will begin making important civic decisions in April.
A deadline looms for anyone looking to register to vote in the state’s May 7 primary election, which is used to select which candidates will represent their respective political parties in the Nov. 5 general election. Given Republicans’ dominance of statewide executive offices, such as governor and lieutenant governor, and both houses of the Indiana General Assembly, this primary will be a key component in selecting the next wave of Hoosier leaders.
>> Related: What happens after the Indiana primary election?
The window for early primary voting opens next week. Here is what you need to know in order to participate in the Indiana primary.
When is the last day to register to vote in the primary election?
Voter registration for the primary election will run through April 8. No one who registers after this date will be able to participate in the primary, but anyone who signs up by Oct. 7 will be eligible to vote in the general election.
There are three ways to register:
- Online through indianavoters.com
- In person at any county voter registration office or the Indiana Election Division location in downtown Indianapolis. You may also register at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles location, provided you are also completing a transaction such as renewing your driver’s license. Check indianavoters.com for your closest registration point.
- By mailing a voter registration form into your county voter registration office or the Indiana Election Division.
In order to register to vote in Indiana, a person must: Be a U.S. citizen, have a valid state ID, be 18 years old, not be in prison and have lived in their voting precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election.
When does early voting begin in Indiana?
Early, in-person voting for the primary election will run from April 9 until noon May 6. Check indianavoters.com for a list of early voting locations. Remember: Indiana requires all voters to show a valid government ID.
Is voting by mail allowed?
Yes, but Indiana has various requirements for voting absentee by mail. Applications must be submitted before each election. The deadline to get an application in for this year’s primary election will be 11:59 p.m. April 25.
Absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. May 7.
Must a voter register for a specific party?
No. In Indiana, voters may select either a Republican or Democratic ballot at the polls. Third parties, such as the Libertarian Party of Indiana, select their own nominees who move directly to the general election.
Contact Rory Appleton on X at @roryehappleton or email him at [email protected].
And subscribe to State Affairs so you do not miss an update.
Facebook @stateaffairsin
Instagram @stateaffairsin
LinkedIn @stateaffairs
Know the most important news affecting Indiana
Get our free weekly newsletter that covers government, policy and politics that impact your everyday life—in 5 minutes or less.
4 things to know about Braun’s property tax proposal
Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican candidate for Indiana’s governor, released a plan for overhauling property taxes Friday morning that would impact millions of Hoosiers, Indiana schools and local governments. “Nothing is more important than ensuring Hoosiers can afford to live in their homes without being overburdened by rising property taxes driven by rapid inflation in …
Bureau of Motor Vehicles looks to add new rules to Indiana’s driving test
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles wants to amend Indiana’s driving skills test, putting “existing practice” into administrative rule. Indiana already fails drivers who speed, disobey traffic signals and don’t wear a seatbelt, among other violations. Yet the BMV is looking to make the state’s driving skills test more stringent. A proposed rule amendment looks to …
In Indianapolis, Harris says she’s fighting for America’s future
Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, told a gathering of women of color in Indianapolis on Wednesday that she is fighting for America’s future. She contrasted her vision with another — one she said is “focused on the past.” “Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms …
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus endorses Harris, pledges future support
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus unanimously voted Wednesday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run and will look at ways to assist her candidacy, the caucus chair, state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, told State Affairs. The caucus is made up of 14 members of the Indiana General Assembly, all of whom are …