Indiana Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-In Deadlines

General Election: November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Indiana you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• have resided in the precinct at least 30 days before the next election
• be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next general election
• not currently be in jail for a criminal conviction

How to register to vote by mail:

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also download and complete the Indiana state voter registration form.  Mail the completed form to your County Voter Registration Office (the addresses are on the form). 

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are registering to vote in Indiana for the first time, and you register to vote by mail, you must submit proof of Indiana residency with your voter registration application.  If you forget to include your residency documents with your voter registration application, you'll have to provide them the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Accceptable proof of residency includes:  a COPY of your Indiana Driver’s License or other current and valid photo ID that shows your name and Indiana address; a COPY of a current utility bill or bank statement that shows your name and Indiana address; a COPY of a government check or other government document that shows your name and Indiana address; OR a COPY of a paycheck that shows your name and address. 

Voter registration verification:

Once your voter registration application is received, your county voter registration office will process the application and determine your eligibility. If you are eligible, the county office will send you a voter registration acknowledgment card. Once you receive that card, you will be officially registered.

If you are not eligible, or if the application was incomplete, you will receive a notice denying the application or requesting the missing information. If you have not received a voter registration card or a notice from your county within about 30 days, call your county voter registration office. You can check your voter registration and polling location at anytime at www.indianavoters.com or by calling 1-866-IN-1-VOTE.

Absentee Voting

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

• You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 am until 6 pm).
• You have a disability.
• You are at least 65 years of age.
• You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
• You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
• You are a participant in the state's address confidentiality program.

How to apply for your absentee ballot:   

Download the Indiana Absentee Ballot Application, complete and sign the form, and mail it your County Elections Office or the Indiana Election Division (the addresses are on the form).

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Indiana at least once.  If you are a first time Indiana voter and you did not provide proof of Indiana residency with your voter registration application, you must include one of the following documents with your absentee ballot application: a copy of your Indiana Driver’s License or other current and valid photo ID that shows your name and Indiana address; a copy of a current utility bill or bank statement that shows your name and Indiana address; a copy of a government check or other government document that shows your name and Indiana address; or a copy of a paycheck that shows your name and address. 

Absentee ballot directions:

Your county election office will mail your absentee ballot and a return envelope.  Complete the absentee ballot, sign where indicated, and send it back to your county election office.  Your voted absentee ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. 

State Contact Info