HomeFirst Time Voters in Indiana

First Time Voters in Indiana

Step 1: Register to Vote

You must register!
Indiana requires you to take the initiative to vote.

First stop, BMV
For many, the easiest place to register is at the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles when you apply for a drivers license. If you don’t plan to drive you should still visit the BMV and apply for a state issued ID. You will be required to show your ID when you vote. Be prepared for what the BMV requires you to bring: What you need to get a Real ID

Have ID and Ready to Register?
If you already have a drivers license or state- issued ID, then you can visit Indiana Voters Portal and register. Go, you!

Step 2: Learn what's on the ballot

You can be an effective voter, but it will take a little effort.

To be prepared, you will want to know what races will be on the ballot and who is running in each race. Indiana doesn’t allow initiatives or referendums so you won’t find those on the ballot. The various elections can be local, state or federal, and primary and general elections.

Where to research your ballot:
Vote411 (funded and run by LWV Education Fund)- Learn what is on your ballot and your personalized voting info. Candidates are given an opportunity to answer important questions. Candidates can also be viewed in a side by side comparison, and you can save your choices for the polls.

Vote Smart- Find the voting records for candidates that have served before.

Other sources: Candidate’s website/social media pages and local television stations, online media, and newspapers

Should you vote in every election?
Many people feel that the most important election is the Presidential general election. Yes and no. The world sees the United States as the Federal government, because of the roles the President plays--chief diplomat and the head of the Armed Forces.

But the other elections can have a lot of impact on your life:
State-level: The Indiana Legislature is where many of the laws that govern your life originate.
Local: You local government delivers the day to day services that you use.

And don't forget-- All three levels of government have the ability to tax its citizens. Voting the whole ballot each election is important!

Step 3: Plan to Vote

Do you need to vote using a mail-in ballot or can you vote in-person?

Voting by Mail
Indiana will only let you use a mail-in ballot, also referred to as an absentee ballot, if you have a state defined reason. Acceptable reasons can be found here.

If you have a valid reason, go to indianavoters.in.gov to apply for a mail-in ballot to be sent to you. Detailed instructions on how to complete and return the ballot will be included in the package you receive.

Need a walkthrough? video from Allen County Election Board

Voting in Person (early or on election day)
If you plan to vote in person, will you vote early or will you vote on Election Day? If you plan to vote early, visit the Allen County Election Board Early Voting page to find a Early Voting Center location near your or the Election Day Vote Centers if voting on Election Day.

Whether you vote early, on Election day or by mail please visit the Allen County Election Board Voters page for information you might need.

Step 4: Vote

After you vote, make sure you tell everyone you know that you voted and encourage them to as well. Please tell them how Vote 411 helped make voting easier, too.

Enjoy the rest of the day knowing you influenced how your community and country are governed. Nice job!