How to Vote in Indiana: 2026 Guide

Everything an Indiana voter needs for the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 general election: registration deadlines, photo ID rules, early and absentee voting, and Election Day hours. All information below comes from the Indiana Election Division and official state sources.

Register to vote

Online: Online: Monday, October 5, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m. for online applications; mail applications must be postmarked by this date).

By mail: By mail: postmarked by Monday, October 5, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m. for online applications; mail applications must be postmarked by this date).

In person: In person: county voter registration office, county election office, or BMV branch — by the deadline.

Register Online through the Indiana Voters portal.; By mail (registration form postmarked by the deadline).; In person at the county voter registration office or county election office.; At Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branches during routine transactions.; At certain public assistance and disability-service agencies.

Photo ID requirements

Must be issued by the state of Indiana or the U.S. government; include the voter's name and photograph; and must be current or expired after November 5, 2024 (the date of the most recent general election). Applies to In-person voting (Election Day and early voting). Most student IDs do not qualify. An ID issued by an Indiana public postsecondary institution that otherwise meets all statutory photo-ID criteria may qualify; private-college IDs generally do not.

Accepted photo IDs

• Indiana driver's license or state ID card (Bureau of Motor Vehicles).
• U.S. passport.
• U.S. military ID.

Early voting

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time on Monday, November 2, 2026

Indiana's 'absentee in person' voting at county election offices (and additional county-designated locations). A statutory excuse is not required to vote early in person; any registered voter may do so. Locations and hours vary by county; check with the county election office or the Indiana Voters portal.

Absentee voting by mail

Who can vote absentee: Indiana requires a statutory excuse to vote by mail. Voters may apply to vote by mail only if they meet one of Indiana's statutory excuses. A postmark on the application or on a returned ballot is not sufficient — the application and the completed ballot must be received by the stated deadlines.

Request deadline: Application: 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 22, 2026 — must be RECEIVED by the county election board (online or paper application); an in-person absentee request can be made directly at the county election office.

Return deadline: Ballot: 6:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — the completed ballot must be RECEIVED by the county election board by the close of polls; a postmark is not enough.

Qualifying excuses: Member of the military or a public safety officer (or spouse/dependent of one).; Student attending a college, university, trade school, or other postsecondary institution outside the voter's county of registration.; Person with a disability, or age 65 or older.; Person who will be absent from the county of residence on Election Day.; Person who must work during the entire 12 hours the polls are open on Election Day.; Precinct election official (or nonpartisan poll watcher) working at a polling place other than their own on Election Day.; Voter participating in the state's address confidentiality program.; Voter with a print disability (for voting by mail with accessible options).

Election Day

Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Precinct-based counties assign one polling place; vote-center counties allow voting at any vote center in the county.

Official resources

• Indiana Voters portal — registration, polling place, ballot status ↗

Find your personalized ballot →

Common questions

When is Election Day 2026 in Indiana?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

What is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana?

Online: Monday, October 5, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m. for online applications; mail applications must be postmarked by this date).

Can I register to vote on Election Day in Indiana?

No — Indiana does not offer Election Day registration. Registration closes Monday, October 5, 2026.

Do I need a photo ID to vote in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana has a strict photo ID law: Must be issued by the state of Indiana or the U.S. government; include the voter's name and photograph; and must be current or expired after November 5, 2024 (the date of the most recent general election). Applies to In-person voting (Election Day and early voting). Most student IDs do not qualify. An ID issued by an Indiana public postsecondary institution that otherwise meets all statutory photo-ID criteria may qualify; private-college IDs generally do not.

When is early voting in Indiana for the 2026 general election?

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time on Monday, November 2, 2026 Indiana's 'absentee in person' voting at county election offices (and additional county-designated locations). A statutory excuse is not required to vote early in person; any registered voter may do so. Locations and hours vary by county; check with the county election office or the Indiana Voters portal.

Who can vote absentee by mail in Indiana?

Indiana requires a statutory excuse to vote by mail. Voters may apply to vote by mail only if they meet one of Indiana's statutory excuses. A postmark on the application or on a returned ballot is not sufficient — the application and the completed ballot must be received by the stated deadlines. Application: 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 22, 2026 — must be RECEIVED by the county election board (online or paper application); an in-person absentee request can be made directly at the county election office.