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Voting in Indiana
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Contents |
Registration
Indiana uses an open primary system, meaning voters are not required to declare a party preference when registering to vote.
To vote in Indiana, you must meet the following requirements:[1]
- be a citizen of the United States,
- be at least 18 years old on the day of the next general, municipal, or special election,
- have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days before the next general, municipal, or special election (except for certain military voters); and
- not currently be imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.
When and where
Registration can be done online or by printing out a form. A valid form of identification is required to register. It must be completed 28 days prior to the election.[2]
Online registration
As of May 2013, Indiana is one of the 13 states that have implemented online voter registration. Residents can register online at this website
Voting on election day
Public Law 109-2005 requires Indiana residents to present a government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot at the polls on Election Day. Photo IDs must meet four criteria for voting purposes: display a photo; display your name (which should match voter registration record); display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last General Election; and be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.[3]
Poll times
- See also: State Poll Opening and Closing Times
In Indiana all polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time.[4]
Absentee voting
Eligibility
You are eligible to vote absentee in an election if you cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:
- You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 am until 6 pm).
- You have a disability.
- You are at least 65 years of age.
- You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
- You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
- You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.
- You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
Deadlines
To vote absentee a request must be received at least eight days prior to the election. The ballot must then be returned by close of polls on election day.
Military and overseas voting
For full details, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program here.
Early voting
Indiana is one of 33 states that has early voting with no specific requirements as to who can vote early. Early voting begins 29 days before an election and ends on the day prior to election day. The average number of days prior to an election that voters can cast an early ballot is 21 days in states with a definitive starting date.
