Before You Vote: A Practical Breakdown for Indiana’s 2026 Midterms

We are closing in on a midterm election during an unprecedented year. We’ve seen communities push back against a morally bankrupt and deadly immigration enforcement scheme, with Indiana being a testing ground for harmful anti-immigrant laws and detention practices. Investigations have been waged against journalists and political opponents, and a movement to restrict and reverse voting protections have dominated the news cycle for months. In short: the civic responsibility and significance of your vote, particularly here in Indiana, can’t be overstated.

With the constant firehose of news, it’s hard to cut through the headlines to find what actually impacts us as voters and the facts we need to know.

SEA 10 (2025): This is an important change: it bans the use of college and university IDs as a valid form of voter identification in Indiana. Although it was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in April, an appeals court allowed it to remain in effect while the case continues.

HEA 1264 (2024), SEA 137 (2025), and HEA 1680 (2025): These laws expanded citizenship checks for registered voters and those applying using BMV records. If you’re flagged, you must provide proof of citizenship within 30 days or risk having your registration be cancelled or application rejected.

HEA 1680 (2025), Again: Another part of this law requires election officials to reject absentee ballots if the signature date on the envelope is wrong.

SEA 287 (2025): This law allows school board candidates to identify on the ballot which political party they are. They can identify as affiliated with a party, independent, or unaffiliated. Note: a straight-party ticket doesn’t count for these races.

There’s lots of confusion and talk about federal election rules, including the president’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting. But the president cannot change election laws on his own. States run elections under state and federal law, and executive orders can be challenged in court.

• You can still vote by mail – nothing’s changed! Indiana still allows absentee voting if you need the requirements (e.g., 65 and older, people with disabilities, or those away on Election Day).
• You can still vote early…now! In-person early voting started October 6, and you don’t need a special reason to do it.
• Indiana’s early voting window remains the same. A bill was introduced in 2026 attempting to cut early voting in half, but it was rejected, meaning early voting is still 28 days.
• You don’t need new documents to vote. Despite proposals to require proof of citizenship, Indiana’s regular voter ID rules still apply at the polls. You do not need to bring a birth certificate or other citizenship paperwork just to cast your ballot.
• You can still vote on Election Day. Polls will be open Tuesday, November 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

If you have any questions about your rights before, during, or after voting, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Also, remember. Don’t spread misinformation about intimidation at the polls. You should only share information that is accurate and comes from reliable sources.

Federal Lawmakers

• U.S. House of Representatives: All nine Indiana seats are up for election. Members of Congress write federal laws, vote on spending, and help oversee federal agencies.

State Lawmakers

• Indiana House of Representatives: All 100 seats are up for election. They vote on state laws and budgets affecting everything from public schools to health care and civil rights.
• Indiana Senate: Half of the 50 seats are up for election. Senators work with the Indiana House to pass state laws and approve the state budget.

State Offices

• Secretary of State: Oversees elections and voter registration systems, regulates certain state financial areas, and manages business registrations in Indiana.
• State Treasurer: Manages and invests Indiana’s money and oversees financial programs, including college savings accounts.
• State Comptroller: Tracks how state money is spent, pays state bills and employees, and distributes tax revenue to local governments and schools.

Local Elections

Depending on where you live, you may also see:

• Sheriff: Oversees county law enforcement and the county jail.
• Prosecutor: Determines what criminal charges to pursue and represents the state in criminal cases.
• County Council and Commissioners: Make decisions about local budgets, spending, county services, and infrastructure.
• School Board: Makes decisions about school policies, budgets, curriculum, and district leadership.
• Township Trustee: Provides certain emergency assistance to residents and may oversee local fire protection services.

Judges and Public Questions

• Judicial Retention: Some judges will appear on your ballot without an opponent. Instead, you’ll vote YES or NO on whether they should keep their jobs for another term. Depending on where you live, you may also see judges running in contested elections.
• Public Question 1 (Right to Bail): Would expand when judges can deny bail to people accused of crimes, even before they’ve been convicted. A YES vote would expand that authority, while a NO vote would keep the current constitutional protections in place. Learn more here.
• Public Question 2 (Judges’ Residency): Would change where city and town court judges are allowed to live, letting them reside in the county where their court is located or an adjoining county instead of the city/town. A YES vote would allow this change, while a NO vote would keep the current residency requirements.

It’s important to note again that your ballot depends on where you live. Visit IndianaVoters.in.gov to find your sample ballot, see who’s running, and research your choices before voting!

Keep the following election dates handy, as well:

• October 6: Early voting opened
• October 22: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot
• November 2: In-person early voting ends at noon
• November 3: Election Day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Your vote is your voice. Make a plan to use it before or on November 3.

For more information, watch our Election Safeguarding 101 video series on YouTube: