UIndy Votes

Hounds Get Out the Vote!

Are you registered to vote? Do you know where you are voting? Are you aware of which races you can cast a ballot?

Get registered to vote in Indiana and learn more about the election next week on the first floor of Krannert Memorial Library! Students will be there to help register voters from 2-4 p.m. every day between Monday, Sept. 16 – Thursday, Sept. 19.

This nonpartisan voter registration drive is a collaboration of UIndyVotes, the Department of History and Political Science, Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement, Krannert Memorial Library staff, and HeadCount Indianapolis.

If you are unable to attend but want to register in Indiana or learn more about the election, visit the Indiana Voter Portal.

If you have questions, please reach out to Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson (lmwilson@uindy.edu).

Learn More

Voter Registration

 

Election & Registration Dates 2024

Voter registration closes 29 days before each election and reopens a few weeks after each election.  

  • October 7, 2024 - Registration ends
  • November 5, 2024 - General election

Who is Eligible to Register

  • U.S. citizens - Note that permanent residents/”green card” holders cannot register or vote.
  • 18 years old on or before the day of the next municipal or general election (November 5, 2024).
  • Not currently convicted and incarcerated. Ex-offenders (including those convicted of a felony and those on parole, probation or home detention) can vote as long as they are not imprisoned. People should check Indivisible.turbovote.org or IndianaVoters.in.gov to make sure they are still registered after serving their sentence because they may need to re-register.
  • If a voter has a state driver’s license/ID card or social security number, they must know one of these numbers to register.

Ways to Register

  • Online - Requires state driver’s license or ID.  
    • Indivisible.turbovote.org - Preferred site because it sends two reminders before each election. Requires an email address or phone number but does not sell them. Only works for people with a valid driver's license or state ID. Connects to the government site. Usable for all states that offer online registration.
    • IndianaVoters.in.gov - Good for people who feel more comfortable going straight to the government site. Only works for people with a valid Indiana driver's license or state ID.
  • Paper form - See section below on completing the paper form
    • Advantages to paper registration
      • Allows more people to register at the same time - if you have a crowd - or if you don’t have a reliable internet connection.
      • Some people are more comfortable with paper. If they wish, they can turn the form in themselves at their county or state elections office.
      • You can use the last four digits of your social security number (SSN)  instead of an Indiana driver's license or state ID in the unlikely event that a voter doesn’t have a driver's license or state ID.
    • Disadvantages
      • You may not complete all required fields or may write illegibly.  
      • You are responsible for making sure that the form is completed properly and turned in promptly. (Instructions below.)
  • The federal form is preferred over the state form. Download the federal form and print page 4.
  • Highlight the required fields in advance, and make sure they are completed legibly. Required fields are:
    • Check “Yes” in the citizenship and age boxes
    • #1 - Full legal name
    • #2 - Complete home address.  If there is a different mailing address, it should be entered in #3.  Homeless people can indicate in Box C where they generally spend the night and if possible also list an address where they can receive mail.  
    • #4 - Date of birth
    • #6 - ID# - Indiana driver’s license or state ID number or last 4 digits of social security number.  Write “none” if the voter has none of these.
    • #9 - Signature and date
  • Optional fields are:
    • #5 - Phone number - Recommended in case there are questions about the form
    • #7 & 8 - Party & Ethnic group - Not required
  • The registration form can also be used to change the voter’s name or address. Put the old information in the bottom section.  
  • If the voter can’t complete the form for any reason, you can complete it for them and put your information at the bottom.  The voter should make a mark in the signature box.
  • When using barcoded forms, tear off the bottom portion and give it as a receipt to the voter.

Forms must reach the county or state office by noon on the 10th day after completion. 

Marion County Residents:


Marion County Board of Voters Registration
200 E. Washington St., W131
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-5040

All Indiana Residents:


Indiana Election Division
302 W. Washington St., Room E-204
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-3939

Miscellaneous

  • We recommend that everyone check their registration in late September or early October (before the October 7 deadline).
  • We register all voters regardless of their party affiliation or political views.
  • Do not wear partisan or political attire while registering voters.
  • It’s against Indiana law to give rewards (such as candy) for registering.
  • Names and addresses can be updated on either of the sites, on the app, or with the paper form.
  • Voters who have moved within 30 days of election day may vote at their old precinct.
  • College students may register & vote at either their home address or at their address where they attend college. (They can think about which district they would most like to influence.)
  • Foreign language registration forms are available online.
  • In about a month, the newly registered voter should receive a card with their precinct and polling place information. If they don’t receive it, they should check their status on one of the sites above (or on the app) or by contacting their county election board.

Additional Voting Information

  • You must show a photo ID.
    • The ID must be issued by the federal or state government (Indiana driver’s license, U.S. passport, etc.). An Indiana public college ID can be used if it includes an expiration date.
    • The ID must “conform to” your name in the voter registry. A different format of your name is acceptable.
    • The ID must be current or expired after the date of the last general election.  Some exemptions apply to military or veteran IDs. Unless a voter is newly registered in Indiana, the address on the ID does not need to match the registration.
  • Note: Newly registered voters also need to show proof of address such as driver’s license, utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck.
  • Apply at a BMV or at in.gov/bmv
  • Complete the ID card form.
  • A state ID card is free for voting purposes, but the voter must request this specifically.
  • Documentation required - Need one from each of three categories:
    • Proof of identity - one of the following:
      • Birth certificate - original or copy certified by the birth state (Available from the state or county department of health but could take a few months to obtain.)
      • Passport
      • Certificate of naturalization as a US citizen

        Note: Legal proof of any name change(s) (such as official marriage certificate) is also required.
    • Proof of social security number - one of the following:
      • Social security card - Available from Social Security Administration office
      • W2
      • Social security benefit statement
    • Proof of address -  one of the following electronically generated and dated within 60 days: utility bill, credit card bill, medical bill, bank statement, medicare/medicaid statement, pay stub, insurance policy.  If nothing of this sort is available, another person can sign a residence affidavit.
  • Find your polling place at IndianaVoters.in.gov
  • Find out who’s on the ballot at ballotpedia.org, IndianaVoters.in.gov or vote411.org
  • If you experience problems on Election Day or feel your vote was suppressed, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. If you are denied the ability to vote at the polling place, you may file a provisional ballot. Both you and the poll worker must complete certain paperwork, and you will need to follow certain procedures and timelines.
  • Early voting (also known as “absentee in-person voting”) can begin 28 days
    before election day. See your county election board office for dates and times.  
  • Absentee Ballots:
    • In order to vote absentee-by-mail, one of the following must apply:
      • 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 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
      • You have a disability.
      • You are at least 65 years of age.
      • You will have official election duties outside of your 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.
      • You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
      • You are eligible to vote at a precinct or former residence under a fail-safe
        procedure in IC 3-10-11 or IC 3-10-12.
      • You are a “serious sex offender.”
      • You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to
        the polls.
    • Apply with your county or state election board for a mail-in absentee
      ballot by October 24.  If your application is approved, they will mail you an absentee ballot for the upcoming election.
    • When the actual absentee ballot is received, return it in the pre-addressed envelope so that it is received between October 8 and noon on election day.
    • It isn’t necessary to show an ID to vote via absentee ballot.
    • See Absentee Voting page for information

Voting Facts & Statements

 

The Voting Situation in Indiana

  • Indiana allows voting using machines that do not provide a paper record and fails to mandate robust post-election audits that test the accuracy of election outcomes. Therefore, the voting process in Indiana is susceptible to hacking and manipulation by foreign and domestic foul play. 
  • Indiana allows voters stationed or living overseas to return voted ballots electronically, a practice that election experts say is notoriously insecure.
  • Indiana requires pre-election logic and accuracy testing for some, but not all, voting machines. Security would be enhanced if testing were required on all machines.
  • Indiana has no felony voter restrictions.

The Voting Situation in the U.S.

  • Among developed nations, the U.S. consistently ranks near the bottom in terms of voting participation.  
  • More people turn out to vote in states that increase voting opportunities through measures such as mail-in ballots, same-day registration, and expanded voting hours and days.
  • Far more people turn out to vote when districts are not rigged to favor a particular party. 
  • Automatic voter registration happens in Oregon & eight other states plus the District of Columbia.

Motivating Statements

  • Voting is a profound act of faith - a belief that even if your lone voice cannot change policy, combined voices do. 
  • When more people vote, democracy works better.
  • More people voting would change both the story and who gets to tell it.
  • Casting a ballot is the best opportunity most of us ever have to have a say in who represents us, what issues they will address and how they will spend our money. 
  • Voting is patriotic.  
  • Higher voter participation results in:
    • More representational members of congress
    • More legitimate representatives
    • More responsive representatives
    • More authentic representatives
    • More accurate representation

The 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act requires colleges and universities to make voter registration forms available to all enrolled students. The University of Indianapolis is providing the information on this site in support of the non-partisan requirement to promote voter registration and engagement amongst our students.
Back to top ↑