The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, for Indiana’s primary election. Hoosiers will vote for local, state and presidential candidates, and these choices will determine the candidates that will go on to represent each party in the general election Nov. 5. Follow us on X or watch our live blog for live updates on Election Night.
Why you should vote in the primary election
Your vote in the primary election matters – a lot. Dr. Fletcher Shelby and Mirror Indy reporter Emily Hopkins break down why in 76 seconds.
When and where to vote on May 7
There are more than 180 locations to vote in Marion County.
Type in your ZIP code to find the closest vote center or scroll through the locations here. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.
But first, are you even registered to vote?
Get to know the candidates
The Indiana Citizen created a tool to find out what will be on your ballot so you can prepare before heading to the polls. Find your virtual ballot here.
Indiana governor’s race: Republican candidates
Story: How the 6 GOP governor hopefuls would treat Indianapolis
This is one of the most competitive Republican primaries in Indiana for governor in two decades. Only one Democratic candidate for governor, Jennifer McCormick, is running in the primary.
Mike Braun
Braun, 70, started in public service with 10 years on the school board in Jasper, Indiana. There, he ran a small farm equipment manufacturing business, turning it into a national company. He served as an Indiana state representative from 2014 to 2017, and has been a U.S. senator since 2018.
Legislative priorities include:
– No more federal mask mandates or lockdowns
– Increase salaries for law enforcement
– Property tax relief
– Transparency for healthcare costs
Brad Chambers
Chambers, 59, is the CEO of Buckingham Companies. He was the secretary of commerce for the state of Indiana for two years, and led the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Legislative priorities include:
– Grow the economy
– Support the creation of tech jobs
Suzanne Crouch
Crouch, 72, is the lieutenant governor of Indiana. She started her political career as an auditor and then county commissioner in Vanderburgh County. She has been an Indiana state representative and state auditor.
Legislative priorities include:
– Address substance abuse
– Reduce misconceptions about mental health and expand access to mental health services
– Eliminate state income tax
Eric Doden
Doden, 54, is the owner of Domo Development Company, which develops family and commercial properties. He is a former president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Legislative priorities include:
– Invest in rural communities
– Make adoption free for Hoosiers
– Exempt teachers from paying income taxes
Curtis Hill
Hill, 63, was Indiana’s attorney general from 2017 to 2021. He lost his bid for re-election in 2020 after being accused of groping four women at a party, though his battery jury civil trial was called off in April. He started in politics as the Elkhart County prosecutor, after privately practicing law.
Legislative priorities include:
– End federal mask mandates and lockdowns
– Disband the state Office of Equity and Inclusion
– Reduce Indiana’s gas tax, cut corporate income tax and create a flat rate of 3% for sales tax for residents over 65
Jamie Reitenour
Reitenour, 44, began her corporate career as a manager at a mortgage company in California. She moved to Indianapolis with her husband and five children, where she volunteers for nonprofits. She emphasizes her faith as the reason behind her campaign.
Legislative priorities include:
– Cut taxes
– Reduce spending
Indiana House District 95: Democratic candidates
Represents the far east side of Indianapolis
Story: Meet the two candidates running to represent the far east side
John Bartlett
Rep. John Bartlett, a 75-year-old retiree, is the incumbent candidate. He first got into politics from work with the Democratic Party, including serving as the campaign manager for Rep. Mae Dickinson, whose former seat he holds.
Legislative priorities include:
– Preventing human-trafficking
– Recognizing veterans
– Gun violence prevention
Autumn Carter
Carter is 34 years old, an author and speaker and works in information technology at the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. She has also worked for the Democratic party as a state delegate and as the state finance director for the Marion County Democratic Party. She first became interested in lawmaking while working at the statehouse as a legislative assistant for the Ice Miller law firm.
Legislative priorities include:
– Decreasing disparities in health care access
– Youth programs to prevent crime and a community-centered approach to public safety
– Support for quality public education
– Increasing access to affordable housing
Indiana Senate District 35: Republican candidates
Represents the west side of Indianapolis
Story: In westside race, a political newcomer takes on longtime senator
J. Philip Clay
J. Philip Clay, 29, is a banker in Plainfield. He learned about local government from the Plainfield Citizens Academy before serving on the Plainfield Redevelopment Commission. He was part of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series, a program that trains minority Republicans to engage in their communities. He was also one of six Black Republicans the Republican National Committee selected in 2022 for its annual RNC Rising Star leadership program.
Legislative priorities include:
– Strengthening qualified immunity for law enforcement
– Improve the state’s adoption and foster care system
Sen. Mike Young
Mike Young, 75, has represented Senate District 35 since 2000. He started volunteering for campaigns in the 1970s, and lost races for a City-County Council seat in 1979 and state representative races in 1982 and 1984. He’s held an office in Indiana since his 1986 win in the Indiana House.
Legislative priorities include:
– Supports a full ban on abortion
– Wants to eliminate property taxes on homes
Indiana House District 97: Democratic candidates
Represents southwest and downtown Indianapolis
Story: Rep. Moed faces first primary challenge in Sarah Shydale
Rep. Justin Moed
Moed, 40, is seeking his seventh term in the Indiana House. He started in the statehouse as a doorkeeper, and worked his way up to being a senior policy analyst. He’s served in the Indiana House since 2012. He prioritizes door-knocking and listening to constituents in his district, which spans south and west Indianapolis and parts of downtown.
Legislative priorities include:
– Reducing homelessness
– Raising teacher pay
– Protecting LGBTQ+ rights
Sarah Shydale
Shydale, 23, would be Indiana’s first openly transgender legislator. She’s an IUPUI student and works as an accountant at the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, helping older and disabled people find housing. She wants to be a voice for Gen Z voters in the city.
Legislative priorities include:
– Safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights
– Lowering housing prices
– Expanding access to mental health and substance abuse support services
Indiana House District 90: Republican candidates
Represents southeast Indianapolis
Story: Local issues dominate southeast Indianapolis Republican primary
David Waters
Waters, 59, noticed people getting prescriptions for drugs to manage opioid addiction at his job as a pharmacist. He worked with a former state senator to advocate for more regulation of these drugs in 2016, which kickstarted his interest in running for office. He lost the race for House District 90 in 2022, but hasn’t given up.
Legislative priorities include:
– Opposing vaccine requirements
– Regulating election security processes
– Banning Property Taxes
Tim McVey
McVey, 43, was born and raised in Franklin Township, where he now drives his kids’ bus to school each day. He wants to focus on legislation specific to issues in House District 90, like creating township-controlled zoning processes.
Legislative priorities include:
– Reducing property taxes
– Township control of zoning
Elizabeth Williams
Williams and her husband own two businesses in Franklin Township: Creative World School Franklin Township – a daycare and preschool that opened in February – and Expedient Health Services Solutions. She’s also a veteran, and led a group of soldiers in the Indiana National Guard.
Legislative priorities include:
– Supporting anti-abortion legislation
– Opposing limits on the second amendment
– Improving access to quality education
Andrew Ireland
Ireland, 29, is from a small town in Southern Indiana. He believes his youth is what the statehouse needs. Ireland started in politics by volunteering for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign in 2016. Since then, he’s served as deputy attorney general under Todd Rokita and worked as a private practice attorney.
Legislative priorities include:
– Addressing crime in Indianapolis
– Supporting anti-abortion legislation
Pike Township schools referendum
Story: Here’s why Pike Township schools are asking for a tax increase
Eight academic interventionists help teach kids to read at schools in Pike Township. Their jobs were initially funded with federal money during COVID-19.
That funding expires in September. If voters in Pike Township agree to pay about $25 more a month in property taxes, based on the average home value, the district will have $16 million annually to continue supporting those positions and others.
What to know before you head to the polls
Bring your ID.
It must be an Indiana- or federal-issued ID, with your photo, name and an expiration date that’s current or after Nov. 8, 2020 (the last general election). Read more about what’s accepted here.
If you have questions, poll workers are there to help.
Poll workers, who are average citizens from both parties, are onsite to guide you. Meet four of them here.
Vote centers have to follow accessibility guidelines.
Poll workers follow a checklist while setting up vote centers to make sure they adhere to ADA guidelines. People with disabilities can ask for assistance making selections on their ballot, and two poll workers – one from each party – will help them.
Each polling place has tables with an adjustable height, headphones and braille keypads. These accommodations have been required since the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Find more resources here.
Voters who have concerns or need to report problems can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-461-8683. HAVA staff will be available for calls 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on normal business days.
If you have any issues while voting, call the hotline.
- Call the election protection hotline for any questions about voting or concerns while at the polls. Call 866-687-8683.
- Inspectors, poll workers who lead vote centers, also have a direct hotline to the Marion County Election Board Service Center to address questions.
Election Glossary
Our friends over at Outlier Media created a guide to all the words you hear in an election year.
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