With the 2024 presidential election quickly approaching and this year’s race looking tight already, making sure to vote is more important than ever. If you’re getting ready to vote for the first time though, there are a lot of questions that you may need answers to before you feel ready to cast your ballot.
In order to help you prepare for November, check out this handy guide of resources for all of your election day needs.
Register to vote
Before you’re able to do anything else, registering to vote is a must. Each state has different requirements to register, but Indiana’s are pretty simple. Firstly, you need to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the United States. You’ll also need a driver’s license or Indiana State Identification Card, both of which can be applied for through your local BMV.
Registration for voting can be completed online at indianavoters.in.gov. It only takes a few minutes and ensures that your voice can be heard. Alternatively, potential voters can submit their registration by completing and returning a Voter Registration Form by mail or in-person prior to October 7. These forms can be mailed/handed in at your county clerk’s office.
If you’re not sure if you’re registered, you can check your registration at indianavoters.in.gov.
Get to know your candidates
The vote you cast on November 5 could have a long-reaching impact on the next four years of your life at least. Even at smaller elections, it’s important that you have an idea of who you’re voting for before doing so.
The first thing you should do is decide on what values, ideals, or positions are must-haves and which can be put on the back burner until the next election. No candidate will ever have your exact positions in mind, so choosing the issues most important to you will help you choose a candidate who most complements your beliefs.
Many non-partisan sources like Vote411, CNN, and AP News offer information on candidates at a national level, with Vote411 also offering information on a state level. Knowing which candidates share your interests makes the voting process that much simpler.
Explore your voting options
As technology continues to improve, voting is becoming easier for the average person. In Indiana, voters are able to participate in elections through either absentee ballots, early voting, or Election Day voting.
Absentee ballots in Indiana allow people who cannot reasonably be expected to vote at their polling place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Election Day. This could be for a variety of reasons: illness, work, travel, age, etc. Indiana does not require employees to offer time off to vote, so knowing your schedule ahead of time on November 5 can help ensure you do not miss your chance to perform your civic duty.
Absentee ballots can be cast in one of two ways: by mail or in-person. Mail-in absentee ballots can be requested up to 12 days before the actual election. The person requesting the ballot must be able to fill it out on their own and print their name on the secure voting envelope. Registered voters can download the application from the Secretary of State’s Absentee Voting page. It can be submitted online, by mail, or delivered to an election official in-person.
Those who will not be able to attend Election Day but still want to vote in-person may request to do so beginning 28 days prior to the election. Every county will have its own early voting hours and location. To find yours, visit indianavoters.in.gov.
Of course, most people vote in-person on Election Day. Voters will have to head to the polling place assigned to them based on residence, which can be found at indianavoters.in.gov between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Once there, poll workers will provide voters with all the information they need.
Accommodations can be made for those who either cannot leave their home or cannot mark their ballot. No one should be denied the right to vote for something outside of their control.
Vote!
Having registered, researched your candidates, and formulated a game plan, the only thing left to do is actually cast your vote! According to Pew Research Center, only 2/3 of eligible voters in the US actually cast their vote in the last presidential election, and that was the highest turnout in decades. On a national level, an individual vote doesn’t make much difference, but 80 million people rallying behind the same cause can decide your future for decades to come.
Important resources for voters in the State of Indiana:
Indiana Voter Portal: Register to vote, view your registration status, find information about your polling places, and apply for absentee voting
Vote411: Provides election information, resources for the voting process, and state-personalized resources to make sure you’re prepared.
Indiana Secretary of State’s Voter Information: FAQs and information regarding voting laws in the State of Indiana.