Know Your Rights: Voting in Indiana

You have the right to vote in Indiana if:

1. You are both a U.S. citizen and a resident of Indiana;
2. You will be at least 18 years of age on or before November 5, 2024;
3. You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime;
4. You have lived in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election; and
5. You are registered to vote.

There are a lot of misconceptions about who can and cannot vote in Indiana. Let’s be clear — you can vote in Indiana if you: 

• Have been previously incarcerated 
• Are transgender 
• Are in college 
• Have a disability 
• Are a recently naturalized citizen 
• Are unhoused

Not sure if you can vote? Learn more.

October 7, 2024: Deadline to register to vote or update your registration for the 2024 election.

October 8, 2024: First day of early voting in-person.

October 24, 2024: Application deadline for voting absentee by mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.

November 4, 2024: Last day of early voting in Indiana.

November 5, 2024: Election Day! Polls will be open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., local time.

REGISTER OR CHECK STATUS 

All registered voters in Indiana are eligible to vote early in-person. Early voting begins October 8 and ends November 4. Early voting locations and times vary from county-to-county — visit IndianaVoters.in.gov or contact your County Election Board for information on early voting in your county. Remember, a valid photo ID is required to vote early in-person.

Note: Every county in Indiana is required to have early voting available during the two Saturdays prior to Election Day (October 26 and November 2).

Eligible Hoosiers can apply for a mail-in ballot by October 24. Absentee ballots must be received by your County Clerk’s office by 6 p.m. on Election Day.

To vote absentee-by-mail in Indiana, a voter must be able to personally mark their own ballot and sign their name to the completed ballot security envelope and have a reason to request an absentee vote-by-mail ballot:

• You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 am until 6 pm).
• You have a disability.
• You are at least 65 years of age.
• You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
• You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.
• You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
• You are a "serious sex offender" as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
• You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOTING BY MAIL

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:

1. Display your photo;
2. Display your name, and the name must conform to your voter registration record. (Conform does not mean identical.);
3. Display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last General Election (November 8, 2022); AND
4. 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.

A student ID from an Indiana State school may only be used if it meets all of the 4 criteria specified above. A student ID from a private institution may not be used for voting purposes. For more information on College Students click here.

If you are unable or unwilling to present an ID meeting these requirements, you may cast a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you have until noon 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board and either provide the necessary documentation or affirm one of the law’s exemptions applies to you.

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

• As long as you are in line to vote when the polls close at 6 p.m on Election Day, you have the right to vote. Stay in line.
• Voters are allowed to bring in information about candidates (such as voting guides, notes, or a sample ballot) into the voting booth with them for personal use, to help them make or remember decisions. Voters should be sure to remove materials from the booth when they leave
• If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one. 
• If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot. 

• Ask for a provisional ballot if a poll worker says you are not on the voter list at their polling location.

• You have the right to an accessible polling location. All locations must have at least one accessible voting machine and the facility, including entrances and pathways, must be accessible.

• You have a right not to be intimidated or harassed while voting.

• You have the right to vote privately and independently.

• You have the right to vote, even if you have a guardian.

• Voters can ask for language assistance from a poll worker if they need help reading or understanding how to vote.

• You have the right to assistance to vote, if you would like.

  • Assistance must be requested before you enter the voting booth.

  • You may receive assistance from poll workers or a family member, friend, or other person of your choosing.

  • You may not receive assistance from your boss or union representative.

• If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline: 
  • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683 
  • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682 
  • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287 
  • For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683 

For help at the polls, or if you believe your rights have been violated, the quickest way to get help is by calling the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (Spanish: 1-888-839-8682), or text MYVOTE to 866-687-8683. 

The ACLU of Indiana may be able to help with inquiries related to treatment at the polls, absentee voting, or early voting — request legal help here.

The ACLU is strongly committed to protecting everyone’s right to make their political opinions known. But it is important you know the exceptions when it comes to the polls. 

Indiana laws prohibit campaigning within 50 feet of the polling entrance. That also means passive political speech such as wearing political clothing, pins, or stickers. Voting officials can deny the right to vote to anyone wearing clothing or paraphernalia supporting a candidate or issue on the ballot. 

It was found in Burson v. Freeman, that “some restricted zone is necessary in order to serve the States’ compelling interests in preventing voter intimidation and election fraud.”  

While some issue related clothing can still be worn at the polls, unless you know for sure, we suggest that you be prepared to cover up or remove such clothing. Though you may be permitted to vote, you also risk being turned away. In an election that has been described by many as the most important in our lifetime, we suggest that pragmatism carry the day. 

Your rights 

• Voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, even if they aren’t in the poll book. 
• After Election Day, election officials must investigate whether you are qualified to vote and registered. If you are qualified and registered, they will count your provisional ballot. 

What to do 

• Ask the poll worker to double check for your name on the list of registered voters. Make sure to spell your name out for the poll worker. 
• If your name is not on the list, ask if there is a supplemental list of voters. 
• If the poll worker still cannot find your name, confirm that you are at the correct polling place 
• If the poll worker still cannot find your name or if you cannot travel to the correct polling place, ask for a provisional ballot.

Additional information 

• If you are turned away or denied a provisional ballot, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español). 
• Report your experience to local election officials.

Your rights 

• Each polling place in the state of Indiana must have at least one accessible voting machine and each location must be physically accessible.  
• If you have a disability (permanent or temporary) and need assistance to vote, you can request assistance before entering the voting booth. Voters that require assistance may designate a relative or friend to assist them at the polling place, or receive assistance from a certified poll worker. 
• Poll workers must make reasonable accommodations as needed to help you vote. 
• Election officials must provide you with help if it’s possible for them to do so. 
• A voter with a mental disability cannot be turned away from the polls because a poll worker thinks they are not ‘qualified’ to vote. 

What to do 

• You can bring a family member, friend, or another person of your choice to assist you at the polls. Do not bring your employer, or an agent of your employer or union. 
• If you bring a person to assist you, let the poll workers know that when you check in. They may ask you to swear under oath that you have a disability and that you have asked that person to help you. Your helper may also be required to sign a form swearing that they did not tell you how to vote. 
• If there are long lines and you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to stand in line, tell a poll worker. 
• Tell election officials what you need. 

Additional information 

• Voters with disabilities have the same right to a private and independent ballot as everyone else. If you face any challenges in voting privately and independently or are unable to cast your vote, report the problem to the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. If you have a complaint about your polling place's accessibility limitations, you can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline to report the issue at 866-IN1-VOTE (866-461-8683). 
• If you are uncomfortable receiving assistance at the polls, you may request an absentee ballot from your local county clerk's office. 

Resources available to you at the polls:

• Magnifiers for voters with visual impairments
• Tape to hold ballots in place for voters unable to hold them
• Chairs for voters unable to stand for extended periods of time. This includes while waiting in line and while casting your ballot

Your rights 

• Under federal law, voters who have difficulty reading or writing English may receive in-person assistance at the polls from the person of their choice.  

What to do 

• You can bring a family member, friend, or other person of your choice to assist you at the polls. This person cannot be the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an agent or officer of the voter’s union. 
• If you live in a county that’s required to provide bilingual voting assistance for a language you speak, you can request oral assistance from a bilingual poll worker and ask for voting materials, such as a ballot, in that language. 
• If you have trouble voting due to lack of English fluency, call one of these hotlines: 
  • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682 
  • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287 
  • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683. 
  • Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese): 1-888-API-VOTE / 1-888-274-8683 

Your rights 

• It’s illegal to intimidate voters and a federal crime to “intimidate, threaten, [or] coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” 

Examples of voter intimidation 

• Aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote. 
• Falsely representing oneself as an elections official. 
• Displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and related criminal penalties. 
• Other forms of harassment, particularly harassment targeting non-English speakers and voters of color. 
• Spreading false information about voter requirements. 
  • You do not need to speak English to vote.
  • You do not need to pass a test to vote. 

What to do if you experience voter intimidation 

• Report intimidation to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español). 
• Report intimidation to your local election officials. Their offices will be open on Election Day. 

"Ballot selfie" laws vary state-to-state — but as a result of an ACLU of Indiana lawsuit, Hoosier voters have the right to take photos of their ballots and to post them on social media.

Individuals registering for the first time (whether in person or by mail) must submit an Indiana driver’s license number or the last four digits of their SSN with their application, and the county voter registration office or election official must be able to match the applicant with an existing Indiana identification record bearing the same name, date of birth, and identification number set forth in the voter registration application. 

• If a registrant cannot or does not provide an Indiana license or the last four digits of their SSN or if that process does not yield a match, the registrant must provide additional documentary proof of residency (DPOR)—(1) a current and valid photo identification, or (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document—that shows the name and residence address of the voter stated on the voter registration application. 
• Although failing to provide the required DPOR will not prevent an individual from registering to vote, the registrant must ensure that the DPOR is provided to the county registration office before the close of polls on election day for their ballot to be counted. If they do not follow up with DPOR before going to vote during early voting or on election day, they can bring DPOR when they go to vote in person and present it there. 
  • NOTE: People may not know they need to provide DPOR, especially if they registered by mail or if the information they submitted was not able to be matched with existing records. We’d suggest that anyone that has recently moved or does not have a driver’s license number in Indiana should plan to bring DPOR, which can be electronic. 
• EXCEPTIONS: DPOR requirements do not apply to people who are absent uniformed services voters or overseas voters or are entitled to vote in a manner other than in person under federal law. 

Time off to vote is subject to the employer; there is no requirement for employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

The polls will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day — registered voters who are scheduled to work the entire twelve hours while polls are open are eligible to vote by mail.

There are two easy requirements in order to participate:

1. You must be a registered voter and a resident of the county in which you wish to work
2. You must be at least 18 years old (or 16/17 if participating in Election Day Live)

Poll workers earn up to $150 for their service, depending on the county. Find more information about being a poll worker here.