It’s the midterm elections, the moment halfway between presidential elections when we see if voters are agreeing with how things are going in the U.S. or if they’re ready for a change.
Indiana’s 2026 General Election is Nov. 3, though early voting starts Oct. 6 in Marion County. Voters will get the chance to choose the next secretary of state, Statehouse representatives and local officials, such as township trustees or school board members, who make decisions that affect your everyday life.
Before you head to the polls, here’s everything Marion County voters need to know to make a plan to vote, including how to register, how to cast your ballot and what rights you have as a voter.
Are you registered to vote?
The deadline to register for the 2026 General Election is Oct. 5. You can register or check your registration at indianavoters.in.gov. If you moved this year or changed your name, you have to update your voter registration information.
Find more information: How to register to vote in Indiana’s Nov. 3 general election
What kind of ID you need to vote
Indiana state law requires you to show your photo ID to a poll worker when you check in at a vote center. There’s a few rules about what has to be on that ID.
Find more information: Ready to vote in the 2026 General Election? Bring this kind of ID.
Three ways you can vote in the 2026 General Election
Vote early at a vote center
You can vote starting Oct. 6 at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St. Starting Oct. 24, one vote center in each of Marion County’s nine townships will be open for early voting. You can read our guide to early voting to see the locations and hours.
Vote by mail
You can apply for a mail-in ballot before Oct. 22. In Indiana, you have to provide a specific reason to request a mail-in ballot. You can read the full list of reasons and learn how to request an absentee ballot in our voting guide.
If your application is approved, you’ll get an absentee ballot in the mail. Your ballot must be received by 6 p.m. Nov. 3, so be sure to send it in early.
Vote in-person on Election Day, Nov. 3
There will be 183 vote centers open all over Marion County, and you can pick whichever location is most convenient for you. All vote centers are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.
What’s on your ballot
You’ll vote for Indiana’s next secretary of state, some of our representatives in U.S. Congress and at the Indiana Statehouse, school board members and local officeholders, such as the Marion County sheriff and township trustees. You’ll also decide whether to keep judges in their positions and get the chance to vote on two ballot questions.
We sent Q&As to candidates, asking about their experience, the issues they care about and what their plans are if they are elected. Read their responses in our voter guide.
You have rights as a voter. Here’s what to do if they’re violated.
Every voter who steps foot into a polling place has rights. You have the right to:
- Vote privately and independently.
- Vote in an ADA-compliant vote center.
- Ask for assistance to vote if you are disabled or if you can’t read or write English. You must request help before you go into a voting booth.
- Vote if you have a criminal record.
Be on the lookout for voter intimidation, which is a violation of your civil rights and a federal crime. If someone at a polling place does these things, it’s voter intimidation:
- Threatens you, harasses you or interferes with your choice of candidates.
- Falsely presents themselves as an election official.
- Aggressively questions you about your citizenship, criminal record or other qualifications to vote.
If your rights have been violated, call the Marion County Election Board’s voter hotline. If you are disabled and the vote center you’re at isn’t ADA compliant, you can call Indiana Disability Rights.
Election Fraud and Accessibility Grievance Line
📞 866-461-8683
Marion County Election Board
📞 317-327-5100
Indiana Disability Rights
📞 317-722-5555
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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