Indiana’s Primary Election 2018 – What You Need to Know

The Indiana Primary Election is Tuesday May 8, 2018. I'm never really sure where I need to go and what I need to bring to vote. This year, I wasn't even sure if I was registered! This is your guide to voting, so no excuses not to get out & Vote tomorrow...Plus, you get a cool sticker :)

Am I Registered to Vote?

Follow this link, and click Check Voting Status. You'll input your name, birthday and county. Once you hit continue, the site will let you know if you are registered, your address, and where to vote.

What Time & Where Can I Vote?

Official voting hours are 6a-6p. The same link that checks your registered voter status will also show you where to vote. Keep in mind, you can actually vote at any polling location in your county.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Polls?

This is very important! Make sure you bring a valid government ID. There are some fine print details to keep in mind: Check your expiration date. If it's current or has expired since the last general election, you're good to go.

What if My Name or Address is Different on My ID?

1. Name Changed - If your name is on the poll list but it has changed (example: due to marriage, divorce or adoption), you may vote a regular ballot if you sign the poll book with the new name or if an electronic poll book is used, signing an affidavit provided by election officials.

2. Moved within the precinct - If your name is on the poll list but you have moved within the same precinct, you may vote a regular ballot if you sign the poll book with the new address or if an electronic poll book is used, signing an affidavit provided by election officials.

3. Moved but still live in the same county and congressional district – If you moved to another precinct that is still in the same county and congressional district regardless of when you moved, you may vote a regular ballot at your old precinct one last time. You must sign an affidavit provided by local election officials or make an oral affirmation of these facts in the presence of the precinct election board before proceeding to vote.

4. Moved within the State of Indiana less than 30 days before the election - If you moved to another precinct in Indiana less than 30 days before the election, you may vote a regular ballot in your old precinct, one last time, by signing an affidavit provided by local election officials.

5. Moved outside the State of Indiana less than 30 days before a presidential election – If you moved from an Indiana precinct to a new residence outside of Indiana less than 30 days before Election Day, you may vote at your old precinct one last time by signing an affidavit provided by local election officials. However, you will only be given a ballot to vote for president and vice president. This fail-safe does not apply in any 2018 election.

Should any of the above listed fail-safes to vote a regular ballot not apply to you, then you may vote by provisional ballot.

Who is on the Ballot?

Since this is a Primary Election, some of the offices will only have 1 choice. Indiana primaries are "Closed", which means that you have to tell the clerk which Political Party you are choosing. You will only see the candidates that are running on that party's ticket. You are basically voting for the person that will go against the other candidate in the General Election in November. You can see the entire list of who's running Here