Here’s what to know about casting a ballot in the Indiana primary election
-
Primary election day in Indiana is Tuesday when eligible voters can go to their local polling place and cast a ballot for the candidates of their choice.
Below are some answers to last-minute questions you may have about the who, what, when, where and how of voting to ensure you are prepared.
Am I eligible to vote?
To vote in Indiana, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and resident of the state.
- Be registered to vote.
- Be at least 18 years old by the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
- Have lived in the precinct where you will vote for at least 30 days.
- Not be currently in prison after being convicted of a crime.
Am I registered?
The deadline to register for the primary was April 8, so individuals who did not register by that date will not be able to vote on Tuesday.
To check your registration status, visit the Indiana secretary of state’s voter portal.
When can I vote?
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Anyone already in line or in the process of voting when the polls close will still be allowed to vote.
Where do I vote?
Polling locations can be found by checking the Indiana Secretary of state’s voter portal.
On the home page, go to the section entitled “Voting Location,” where you can click a button to enter your first and last name, date of birth and county where you are registered to vote. The site then lets you know if your voting status is active and provides a list of polling sites.
I recently moved. Where do I vote?
If you have moved less than 30 days before the election, you may vote at your old precinct.
I have mobility issues. Are the polls accessible?
Yes. Under the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, polling places must be physically accessible, and at least one voting machine must accommodate voters with disabilities. Also, voters who require assistance may ask a poll worker for help or designate a relative or friend to help them at the polling place.
What kind of ID do I need to vote?
You must present a government-issued ID that includes your name and photo. Also, it must have an expiration date but still be current.
If you do not have a valid photo ID, you can obtain one free of charge at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The branches will be open for extended hours on Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information and to see the documentation you will need to bring with you to get the ID, visit the BMV’s website.
Can I still vote if I don’t have the required photo ID or if my voter eligibility has been challenged?
Yes, you can cast a provisional ballot at the polling place and a poll worker can explain the process. The provisional ballot will be kept separate from other ballots cast.
After the election, the county election board will decide whether you were qualified to vote in that precinct and whether your ballot will be counted. If you were missing the required photo ID, you will have up to 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board to provide the necessary documentation or prove that one of the photo ID law’s exemptions applies to you.
Who is on my ballot?
You can see the candidates on your ballot and learn about their backgrounds and positions by visiting The Indiana Citizen’s virtual ballot.
What if I have questions on primary day?
Help is available at 866-OUR-VOTE.
Staffed by legal volunteers who have been trained by the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, this nonpartisan Election Protection hotline will be available to answer voters’ questions on Tuesday. Also, volunteers trained by Common Cause Indiana will be available at polling locations across central Indiana.
Hoosiers can call the hotline with any questions or issues, according to Ami Gandhi, director of the Midwest Voting Rights Program at CLCCR. The main priority of the Election Protection program is to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their votes, she said.
Hotlines for non-English speakers:
Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA
Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US
Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE
FOOTNOTE: This article was published by TheStatehouseFile.com through a partnership with The Indiana Citizen, a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed, engaged Hoosier citizens.
