Make your voice heard by exercising your right to vote in the 2026 election.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election Day! Polls will be open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., local time.
Stay tuned for information on deadlines and early voting.
WHO CAN VOTE IN INDIANA?
To vote in Indiana, an individual must be a citizen of the U.S. who will be least 18 years of age at the time of the next general, municipal or special election (November 5, 2024). The voter must have resided in their precinct for 30 days prior to the election, and must be registered to vote.
There are many misconceptions surrounding who can and cannot vote in the state of Indiana, leading to suppressed voter turnout for certain groups that do have the right to vote.
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Hoosiers Who Have Been Previously Incarcerated
Transgender People
Recently Naturalized Citizens
Students
In Indiana, you can register to vote online if you have an identity document issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, such as an Indiana Driver's License or state ID. If you do not have one of those documents, you’ll need to register by mail or at an approved voter registration location. A new law requires the identities of first-time Indiana voters to be verified. If your identity cannot be verified, you’ll be asked to show additional documentation of residency (official mail that matches the name and address on your registration paperwork) when you go to vote.
Students who will be absent on Election Day from the county they are registered to vote in (or who meet one of the other absentee ballot eligibility requirements) can apply to vote by mail. If you vote in-person, you’ll need to meet the identification requirements below. A student ID will not meet this requirement.
Individuals with Disabilities
Unhoused Hoosiers
In Indiana, if you lack a permanent address because you are experiencing homelessness or live in a motor home, you can still vote.
- If you register to vote in-person, you will need to tell the voter registration official where you usually sleep to help them identify your voting precinct — even if the location doesn't have a street address. You can do this by drawing a map or writing a description of the location.
- If you register to vote online, give the intersections closest to your residence on the line marked “residence address.” County officials will use this information to place you in the correct voter precinct.
You do need to provide a mailing address (such as a friend’s house, shelter, or post office box) within the county you reside, where someone will accept mail on your behalf. You may be contacted for additional information at the mailing address you provide.
PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS
Whether voting early or on Election Day, Hoosier voters must present a photo ID in order to vote. In accordance with state law, your ID must:
- Display your photo;
- Display your name, and the name must conform to your voter registration record. (Conform does not mean identical.);
- Display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last General Election (November 8, 2022); AND
- Be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government
In most cases, an Indiana driver's license, Indiana photo ID card, Military ID, or U.S. Passport is sufficient. Click here to see examples of acceptable forms of ID.
Voters may also submit an application for a free photo ID at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The Secretary of State provides further information.
People who don’t have a photo ID
Exemptions to Indiana’s voter ID law exist for those who cannot afford an ID, people with a religious objection to being photographed, and those living in state-licensed facilities that serve as their precinct's polling place. On Election Day, you can cast a provisional ballot and then visit the county election office within 10 days to prove you qualify for an exemption. Alternatively, you can vote early in-person and claim your exemption there.
A free ID card may be issued by the BMV if you are at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and you are eligible to vote. However, when you apply for a new driver’s license, permit or identification card, you must present original versions or certified copies of the following documents:
- One document proving your identity; and
- One document proving your lawful status in the United States; and
- One document proving your Social Security number; and
- Two documents proving your Indiana residency
MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN
Make sure you have a voting plan! Your vote plan should include:
- How you’re voting — early in-person at a satellite location, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day.
- All registered Indiana voters are eligible to vote early in-person. To find locations and hours for early voting, use the online Indiana Voter Portal. Early voting times vary county-by-county, but all counties must have early voting available for two Saturdays before Election Day. Remember, a valid photo ID is required to vote early in-person.
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Some voters that meet the absentee-by-mail requirements are eligible to cast their ballot by mail in the General Election. In order to vote by mail, you must complete and submit a one-page application to your County Clerk’s office. For voters who are planning to vote absentee by mail, make sure your absentee ballot is complete, and that you sign the outside of the absentee envelope before returning it. Click here to download the application to vote by mail.
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On Election Day, your local polling place will be open for you to cast your ballot from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find your county's vote centers here. Vote centers offer flexibility and convenience to voters, by allowing them to cast a ballot at any county location of their choosing on Election Day.
- The location you’ll vote if you opt to vote early at a satellite location or in-person on Election Day.
- Any important deadlines associated with the way in which you plan to cast your vote.
Learn more about your voting rights on Election Day
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in working at the polls on election day, contact your county clerk.
