The deadline to register to vote in the Indiana primary is April 4. What you need to know
The Indiana primary election is in less than two months.
Citizens hoping to vote in the Indiana primary need to be registered by April 4, which by law is 29 days before the election day, May 3.
By law, Indiana residents hoping to vote in the primary need to be registered 29 days before the election. This year's primary is May 3, meaning voters must be registered by April 4.
It's important to know the specific procedures to follow, because guidelines can differ by state. For example, you cannot register to vote on Election Day in Indiana.
Here's what you need to know about registering to vote in Indiana.
Who can vote in Indiana?
The simple list of people who can vote in Indiana includes adults 18 and older who are U.S. citizens and Indiana residents.
If you are not yet 18, but will be 18 at the time of the general election in November, you may register to vote and vote in the primary under Indiana law.
If you are currently incarcerated after being convicted of a crime, you cannot vote. However, in Indiana, voting rights are restored as soon as you are released — this includes those who are on parole or probation. Those who have recently been incarcerated will need to re-register to vote upon release.
You need to have lived in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election.
Be sure to update your address at least 30 days before the next election. If you move within 30 days of election day, you may still be eligible to vote at your old address and precinct.
How to register to vote online
To register to vote online in Indiana, you will need an Indiana state-issued ID card or Indiana driver's license. This is because your ID number is tied to your signature, which you provide when registering by mail or in-person, according to Allen Carter, communications director for the Indiana Secretary of State's office.
Go to indianavoters.in.gov and click on "apply now." The website will ask for your driver's license or state ID number and first and last name.
You will then be taken to a portal where you will be asked a series of questions about your eligibility to vote in Indiana, including your citizenship status, age and identification type.
From there, follow the steps prompted by the website. If you need assistance, you can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 1-866-461-8683.
How to register to vote via mail
You can also register to vote via mail. This is especially helpful if you do not have an Indiana state identification card and cannot get to an in-person registration location.
You will have to fill out a form and mail it to your county's election office. This form can be downloaded at bit.ly/3DhdJeh under the heading "Register to Vote by Mail or In-Person." A list of the appropriate addresses for voter registration in each county is on the state form.
You do not have to provide any proof of photo identification to register to vote by mail. However, first-time voters may be required to show additional documentation that verifies your address on your voter identification card, such as a utility bill, bank statement or paycheck with a current address on it.
Once the county receives your application to register, they will determine whether you are approved to vote by mail.
You can also register via federal form to vote in Indiana, which can be found here: bit.ly/3qs86Vg. You will need to print either application and mail it back.
You can also mail the form to the Indiana Election Division: 302 W. Washington St. Unit 204, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
How to register to vote in person
You can visit your local county voter registration office to register in person.
Other places you can register in person include the Indiana Election Division on Washington Street or any National Voter Registration Act full-service agency, like Workforce Development or Family and Social Services Administration offices.
You can also register at the BMV if conducting a "credential transaction," such as getting a new driver's license.
Registering in person will not require you to show photo ID.
How to request absentee mail-in voting
Indiana does not offer universal absentee mail-in voting. You must be in one of the following categories to register to vote by absentee ballot:
You have a "specific, reasonable expectation" that you will not be in the county on the day of the election during voting hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You have a disability.
You will be "confined" due to illness or injury, or caring for someone who is confined due to illness or injury, during the 12 hours of voting.
You are 65 or older.
You have voting duties that are not in your official precinct.
You are scheduled to work at your job, which is your "regular place of employment" during the entirety of polling hours.
You participate in the state's address confidentiality program.
You cannot vote due to religious discipline or observation of a religious holiday during the entirety of polling location hours.
You are in the military or are a public safety officer.
You cannot vote due to unavailability of transportation.
You are a registered sex offender, as cited in Indiana Code.
If you qualify for any of these reasons, you may vote by mail. You can do this by filling out an ABS-Mail ballot, English and Spanish versions of which can be found at this link: bit.ly/3iJLsmQ.
You can also request an absentee mail-in ballot by calling 317-232-3939 or visiting your county election office or division to pick up an application in person.
You must mail it back so that it arrives at least 12 days before the election, which, in the case of the May 3 primary, would be April 21.
Does Indiana have open or closed primaries?
Indiana has open primary elections, meaning that you do not need to be a registered member of a party to vote in that party's primary.
You must tell the poll worker which primary election you plan to vote in. You cannot vote in both the Republican and Democratic primaries, for example.
For those voting by absentee ballot, there will be an option to select which primary ballot you would like to receive — Democratic or Republican — when registering.
I think I'm registered to vote, but how can I check?
You can make sure you're registered to vote in Indiana by calling 1-866-461-8683.
You can also check your voter registration online anytime at indianavoters.in.gov.
Voting resources
Here are some other resources you may find helpful as you prepare to vote:
Important 2022 election dates: bit.ly/3NvGNDd
For those experiencing homelessness: bit.ly/3tMAYJG
For the formerly incarcerated : bit.ly/36SaGNg
For those with disabilities: bit.ly/3tM2Spx
For the military and overseas voters: bit.ly/3DjdVJZ
For college students: bit.ly/3iI8Y3H
Hoosiers Organized People Energized (HOPE): withhopewewin.com
Contact IndyStar trending reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana primary election 2022: How to register to vote in Indiana
