BMV Extends Hours To Help Voters Get IDs Before Election

Indiana BMV Extending Hours for Primary Election

If you’re anything like me, the BMV is not exactly a place you want to spend extra time. I was dreading getting my new Indiana Driver's License, but it actually moved smoothly and I was out of there in no time. However, for a lot of people that might not be the case. Now BMV's in Indiana might allow something that actually works in your favor.

Because the state of Indiana just announced they’re extending BMV hours leading up to the primary election and it’s not random.

Why They're Doing This

Indiana requires a valid photo ID to vote. No ID, no ballot. It’s that simple.

And every election cycle, there are people who show up ready to vote… and get turned away because something’s off. Maybe their license is expired, maybe they lost it, maybe they never got a state ID in the first place.

So instead of letting that happen, the state is basically saying “we’re removing that excuse.”

By extending hours, they’re giving people more time to vote before work, after work, even last minute to get what they need and still have a chance to vote. Just making sure the access is there.

What the extended hours look like

Here’s what you need to know:

On Monday, May 4, BMV branches across Indiana will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Then on Election Day, Tuesday, May 5 they’re opening early at 6 a.m. and staying open until 6 p.m.

So yeah… if you’re a last-minute person like me, they’ve got you covered.

What You Can Actually Get Done

This is what you can get done during those extended hours. They’re focusing on the stuff that matters for voting:

• Getting a new driver’s license
• Renewing an expired one
• Replacing a lost ID
•  Or getting a state ID

Here's something else I have learned about my new home state. If you don’t have an ID at all, you can get a free state ID specifically for voting purposes. Which is basically the state making sure that if you want to vote, you can.

A Quick Heads Up Before You Go

Before you just show up, make sure you bring the right documents with you, you will need things like proof of identity and residency. Nothing is more annoying than showing up and not having what you need so you don’t have to make two trips.

Also, if your ID expired after the last general election, there’s a chance it could still be valid for voting but don’t gamble on it if you don’t have to.

So, if getting a new license or having to make a trip to the BMV is on your To- Do List you might want to take advantage of the extended hours and check it off the list.

SOURCES:

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Election hours and services
Indiana Department of Administration – Voting requirements and ID information
Indiana Election Division – Voter ID laws and election details

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