How to Register, Vote and Track Your Ballot in Indiana

En español | Indiana only allows some voters, including those 65 and older, to vote absentee-by-mail. But anyone can cast an absentee ballot in person during an election’s early voting period.

The next statewide election is in 2024, with some cities, including Indianapolis, holding municipal elections in 2023. The municipal primary was Tuesday, May 2 and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

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• Upcoming elections: Information about upcoming statewide elections is available at the secretary of state’s voter portal.
  
• Absentee voting: Voting absentee-by-mail is only an option for voters who are 65 and older or who have an approved reason, such as a disability or a work obligation.
  

• Early in-person voting: All registered voters can vote early and in person by filling out an absentee ballot at their circuit court clerk’s office or satellite location.

• Voting at the polls: Before you cast your ballot, you’ll need to show a government-issued photo ID. 

Voters will decide races for mayor, city council and other local offices. The primary was Tuesday, May 2, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Polls are open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time.

The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Tuesday, Oct. 10. If you qualify to vote absentee-by-mail, you must request a ballot by Oct. 26. It must be received by your county election board by 6 p.m. on Election Day to count.

You may vote early in person at your circuit court clerk’s office or satellite office from Wednesday, Oct. 11, through noon on Monday, Nov. 6. Contact your county clerk’s office for locations and hours.

Candidates for Mayor of Fort Wayne
Candidates for Mayor of Evansville
Democratic Primary Candidates for Mayor of Gary

A law that took effect July 1, 2023, adds new ID requirements for mail-in voting.

The state’s 2021 redistricting plan has redrawn certain boundaries of state legislative and U.S. congressional districts.

Register online, by mail or in person:

• Online: Use the state’s online registration portal to register. You must enter your Indiana driver’s license number or a state-issued ID card number to begin the online application process. 

• By mail: Print a voter registration form, complete it and mail it to your county’s voter registration office or to the Indiana Election Division in Indianapolis. Addresses are listed at the bottom of the form.

• In person: Print and complete a voter registration form, then bring it to your county’s voter registration office or to the Indiana Election Division. You also may register at your county clerk’s office, at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office when obtaining a driver’s license or state ID card, or at a public assistance office.

Check your registration status at Indiana's voter information portal.

Any registered voter can fill out an absentee ballot in person. But you’ll need to be 65 or older or have another approved reason, such as a disability, observance of a religious holiday or a work obligation, to vote absentee-by-mail. 

You’ll need to reapply for a ballot before every election and can do so online, by mail, via email or in person:

• Online: Go to the state’s voter portal, select Visit My Voter Portal and follow the prompts for Vote By Mail.

• By mail: Print and complete an absentee ballot application posted to the state’s voter portal. Mail it to your county elections office listed at the bottom of the application.

• Via email: Print and complete an absentee ballot application. Then sign it, scan or photograph it, and email it to the Indiana Election Division at elections@iec.in.gov.  

• In person: Print and complete an absentee ballot application. Bring your application to your circuit court clerk’s office or satellite location listed on the state’s voter portal.

As of July 1, 2023, you must include either your driver’s license number, your 10-digit Indiana ID number, your Voter ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number when requesting a mail-in ballot. Or, if you’re applying by mail, you may include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID.

To return your ballot, seal it in the ballot envelope that was sent to you, sign the envelope on the signature line and place it in the mail, no postage necessary, by the deadline listed at the state’s voter portal.
 
Track the status of your absentee ballot through the portal as well.

Yes, any Indiana voter can fill out an absentee ballot in person at his or her circuit court clerk’s office or satellite location. Times and locations may vary by county. More information will be made available at the voter portal before any upcoming elections.

Use the state’s voter portal or contact your county election board to find a polling place near you.

Yes, you’ll need to present a government-issued photo ID before you cast a ballot, unless you have a religious objection to being photographed or live in a state-licensed facility that also serves as your polling place, like a nursing home. The secretary of state’s website has more information about how to claim photo ID exemption.


Editor’s note: This guide was updated on July 12, 2023, with information about new ID requirements for mail-in voting. The guide was first published on July 28, 2020.

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/indiana