Indiana voter registration guide: How to check voter status, options to vote, what to know

Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star
·4 min read

Hoosiers have a big election year coming up in 2024, from state races to Congress to the White House.

There's one key difference this presidential election year, thanks to a new state law passed in 2023: Voters now need to include a form of identification when voting absentee by mail.

As usual, though, photo ID is still required when voting in person on Election Day.

In 2024, the primary is Tuesday, May 7; the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

How to register to vote in Indiana

The state of Indiana has a website where you can check your voter registration status, update it, or register to vote for the first time. That voter portal is indianavoters.in.gov.

You can also call or visit your county's voter registration office. Paper forms can also be found at township trustee offices and at branches of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In Marion County, public library branches also have forms.

To register to vote, you must:

  • Have a valid Indiana Driver's License or Indiana State Identification Card.

  • Be a citizen of the United States.

  • Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.

  • Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days before the next election.

  • Not be currently imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.

A voter heads into the polling location at Roy G. Holland Park, Fishers, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, less than a week from Indiana primary election day. About 20 people came in during the first half hour, and workers there said interest is picking up prior to May 3.
A voter heads into the polling location at Roy G. Holland Park, Fishers, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, less than a week from Indiana primary election day. About 20 people came in during the first half hour, and workers there said interest is picking up prior to May 3.

What are the deadlines to register?

You must register to vote at least 29 days before the election in which you want to vote.

In 2024, that means the deadline for the primary election is the end of the business day on Monday, April 8. The primary election is on May 7.

For the general election, the deadline to register is close of business Monday, Oct. 7. The general election is Nov. 5.

Ways to vote in Indiana

You can only vote one way for each election, but there are multiple ways to do so: in person on election day, in person early, absentee by mail or by travel board.

On election day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. To find your polling place, go to indianavoters.in.gov and click "Find Your Polling Place."

How to vote early

If you are already registered to vote and have a photo ID, you can vote early in person. Check with your county clerk to find out where.

For the primary election, early voting runs from Tuesday, April 9 to noon Monday, May 6.

For the general election, early voting runs from Tuesday, Oct. 8 to noon Monday, Nov. 4.

Election worker Jayne Docherty (left), helps voter Carla Strommen check in the polls at Roy G. Holland Park, Fishers, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, less than a week from Indiana primary election day. About 20 people came in during the first half hour, and workers there said interest is picking up prior to May 3.
Election worker Jayne Docherty (left), helps voter Carla Strommen check in the polls at Roy G. Holland Park, Fishers, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, less than a week from Indiana primary election day. About 20 people came in during the first half hour, and workers there said interest is picking up prior to May 3.

How to vote absentee or by mail

Voting by mail involves two exchanges with your county election office: an application and a ballot.

First, fill out the application found on the Secretary of State's website. You can also pick up an application in person at your county election office, or call and ask for one to be mailed to you. Or, you can apply online at indianavoters.in.gov.

Because of a new state law that Gov. Eric Holcomb signed in 2023, you must include with your application a form of identification. This requirement can be satisfied by a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, or writing one of these four numbers on your application: Indiana driver's license number, Indiana ID card number, unique voter identification number or the last four digits of your social security number.

Then hand-deliver, mail, email or fax your application to the county election office. The office must receive your application no later than 11:59 p.m. 12 days before the election. For the primary, that's April 25; for the general election, that's Oct. 24.

Once county election officials approve your application, they'll mail you a ballot and a pre-paid return envelope. County officials must receive your completed ballot by 6 p.m. on election day.

What if I have a disability and can't sign documents?

Another person can help you complete and sign your application and ballot, as long as they fill out the affidavit of assistance found on the application. The person assisting cannot be your employer or union representative.

Additionally, people with print disabilities, such as those with blindness or a disability affecting manual dexterity, can fill out a separate application that will prompt the county to email them a link to an online voting tool. This online ballot, called OmniBallot, uses screen reader technology. More information can be found on the Secretary of State website.

Voting by travel board is another way to vote absentee, for those who have difficulty leaving their homes. This is when a bipartisan pair of election officials brings a ballot to your home. A travel board application can be found here.

More: Voting rights advocates worry new Indiana law will disenfranchise vulnerable voters

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana voter information: New state ID law, how to register