It’s primary election day in Indiana!
Mirror Indy staff and Indy Documenters are heading out to voting centers across the city today to chat with voters. We’ll keep you posted all day long on this blog.
Polls are now closed. Check out Mirror Indy’s results page for the results of Marion County races and our home page for stories on key races.
UPDATE 6:10 p.m.
Wishing for more conservative leadership
Franklin Township resident Kyle Motley went to Acton United Methodist Church right before the polls closed.
The 39-year-old wanted to make sure conservative politicians are elected who align with his values.
“Immigration’s a big one,” Motley said. “I’d like to see immigration laws be changed and we kinda lock it down a little bit more to protect more of the Americans, and their jobs and their homes.”
Motley also wants to see more Republican representatives in Congress.
UPDATE 6 p.m.
An essential right
Janelle Hodge, 48, told Indy Documenter Hayley Wolf that she believes voting is a right.
“I think it’s our most fundamental right that we have here,” Hodge, a Democrat, said. “We must do it. Whatever you believe, you gotta vote.”
A voter and her dog
Kyla Anderson, 23, told Indy Documenter Hayley Wolf, “I thought it was important to come vote today because with everything going on in the world, it’s important to know that your voice is being counted and it matters.”
“It’s important to educate yourself and do as much as you can to help make the world a better place,” Anderson, a Democrat, said.
A poll volunteer helped watch Anderson’s dog Max because he couldn’t go inside.
UPDATE 5:45 p.m.
Marion County voters turned out
Heading into the last hour of voting, Marion County voter turnout continues to be strong.
As of 5 p.m., 66,466 people had cast a ballot in Marion County — about a 9% increase over the 2024 primary through the same time.
What’s driving that increase?
“It’s certainly not the weather,” joked Dan Goldblatt with the Marion County Clerk’s Office about persistent rain.
The last time Marion County saw a jump in primary election turnout like this was in the 2018 midterm election, during President Donald Trump’s first term, Goldblatt said.
“I think we’re seeing that voters have something to say,” he said.
Supporting newer candidates
Kristina Frey, 47, never misses an election.
The Democrat and Broad Ripple resident wouldn’t say who she’s voting for, but she’s excited about newer candidates on the ballot like Karla López Owens.
Owens is contesting Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell in the Democratic primary.
“I really appreciate the background that she brings, and I happened to go to the law school with her,” Frey said.
Kendra Willke, 29, believes it’s important to support and vote for candidates that align with your beliefs.
“I’m really passionate about being here and making my voice heard,” Willke said.
As an educator, she is also interested in issues that affect young people, such as curfews.
UPDATE 5:30 p.m.
‘I am so against what’s going on’
There weren’t any particular issues or races that got Demetria Miel to the polls Tuesday evening.
“I always vote,” the 83-year-old Democrat said at the Warren Township Government Center. “And I am so against what’s going on.”
Miel got her daughter, Cara McManus to join her in voting.
“She made me,” McManus, 61, said with a laugh.
McManus said that even if voting in the primary doesn’t lead to change she wants to see, it can be good to show politicians that people are willing to show up.
Voting to set an example
Washington Park resident Rhea McMurren said that supporting local schools mattered to her.
McMurren, who is 41, told Indy Documenter Jeff Brown she voted so she could show her son the importance of showing up.
“Your opinion matters. Your voice matters,” McMurren, a Democrat, said. “When we all come together as a group, it shows.”
UPDATE 5:15 p.m.
‘Hoping for change’
Ona Ballinger, 83, said she’s voted in every primary and general election for as long as she can remember.
A lifelong eastside resident, she declined to share which candidates she’s supporting, but she indicated she’d like to see some new faces in elected office.
“Somebody’s got to lead,” Ballinger said. “We’re just hoping for change.”
‘I know my vote counts’
Terry Triplett, 51, told Indy Documenter Jeff Brown, “I’m a paraplegic, and they stopped my Medicaid. It’s time for a change, and we need it fast.”
“I’m hurting, but I would not miss this,” Triplett, a Democrat, said. “I know my vote counts.”
UPDATE 5 p.m.
‘We decide on who represents us’
Sarissa Evans, 50, talked to Indy Documenter Bilqis Yarbro.
“I believe representation matters,” said Evans, who is a Democrat. “We decide on who represents us and the way we let the public or government know who to represent us is voting.”
UPDATE 4:45 p.m.
Another first-time voter
Lolena Howard came to the Warren Township Government Center to watch her son, Isaiah Allen, vote for the first time.
Allen, 18, hopes his decision to vote will inspire more of his peers to vote in future elections.
“We need to start voting more as a Black community,” Allen said.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m.
Speedway voter wants change
Speedway resident Dawn Foy braved the nonstop downpour to vote in today’s primary election at the Speedway Municipal Center.
She wouldn’t say who she voted for, but Foy says she came ready to help bring about change.
“I really want fresh stuff,” she said. “I’m really tired of the same old, same old.”
Foy did her research before coming to vote but wishes there were more places for people to get the information they need to make their electoral decision.
“I was going to bring my elderly aunt with me, and she’s like, ‘I don’t even know who’s on the ballot,’” Foy said.
She just found out about Mirror Indy’s election guide and says she’ll use it in November’s general election.
UPDATE 4:15 p.m.
“It’s an important right,” Danita Vincent, 46, said. “Especially during this present day and age where our voices are being taken away, programming shut down, education questioned.”
Vincent, a Democrat, talked to Indy Documenter Bilqis Yarbro.
“Everything that our ancestors fought for, it’s very important that we intend to recoup, regain and reclaim so that our youth have an opportunity to be successful people,” Vincent said.
UPDATE 4 p.m.
‘We need serious Republicans’
Washington Township residents Lee Brooks Sr., 59, and Catina Brooks, 53, are hoping to make a difference during the primary election.
Lee’s main concern is the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on the Voting Rights Act. He believes the ruling may change the mindset of some Indiana Republicans who voted against redistricting in December.
He has a message for Republican voters: “Vote for a Republican that wants to do the job. We need serious Republicans. We don’t need sycophants like we have all across the Republican Party. We need people that will say no to Donald Trump.”
The couple, both Democrats, want more Democrats to vote to help change policies.
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.
First-time primary voter
Liz Harmon, 54, said this was her first time voting in a primary election.
“I’ve voted in presidential elections but in the past few years I’ve been like ‘OK, I need to pay more attention,’” Harmon said.
She told Indy Documenter Bilqis Yarbro, “I don’t think until I got older I realized how important these smaller elections are.”
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.
‘We need a clean sweep’
It’s the first time retired pediatrician, John Ellis, 77, voted in a primary election as a Democrat.
He’s a registered Republican but feels as though the party is drifting away from the needs of the American people.
“I’ve always been a fiscal conservative and social liberal. The party is walking away from me and it’s discouraging,” he said. “We need a clean sweep and to get (Republicans) out of there. They’re only doing things to benefit themselves.”
UPDATE 3:15 p.m.
‘These people really care’
“My wife makes me vote in the primaries!” Meridian-Kessler resident Clayton Kelly, 57, said.
The Democrat said his major concerns include “the energy-sucking, resource-sucking big box data centers,” and protecting Eagle Creek.
Kelly told Indy Documenter Linda Kirby there are several options for Democratic candidates on his ballot in Meridian-Kessler.
“I don’t mind if there’s competition between the parties but when it’s one-sided, it probably doesn’t represent the people’s best interests,” Kelly said.
He said he has a lot of respect for poll workers at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
“These people really care,” he said. “Democrats, Republicans, they’re not out to fraud anyone. They just want people to vote. They want everyone to vote.”
UPDATE 3 p.m.
First time voter hopes for change and accountability
Rain didn’t deter Raushan Key from voting in his first election.
The 18-year-old said casting his ballot allows him to have a say in changes related to artificial intelligence, education and support for the unhoused.
“I want to see people advocating for the banning of AI, no data centers in our community and stuff like that,” said Key, who lives near Southport.
Key didn’t share who he’s voting for, but he hopes to elect an honest politician who will work to fulfill their campaign promises.
“I want to see people holding their politicians accountable,” Key said.
UPDATE 2:45 p.m.
An election too important to miss
Mary Elizabeth Farias St. John, 66, and Robert St. John, 71, both Democrats, recently moved to Indianapolis to be closer to their grandchildren.
They are residents of Meridian-Kessler who say the primaries are too important to miss.
“We’re trying to do anything we can do to make sure that the midterm elections turn out all right,” Robert said.
Mary Elizabeth told Indy Documenter Linda Kirby she likes what the sheriff’s office does to support students.
“They’re interested in having a lot of openness and community with young people,” she said.
Mary Elizabeth is a retired teacher and wants to “stop the cycle of kids committing crimes because they have nothing to do or no hope in the future.”
UPDATE 2:30 p.m.
He doesn’t want to hear your complaints if you don’t vote
When Chapel Hill/Ben Davis resident Gerald Hopkins drove to the Krannert Park Family Center this morning, he knew exactly who he wanted to vote for — U.S. Rep. André Carson.
Carson has held the 7th Congressional District seat since 2007 when he replaced his grandmother, Julia Carson.
Carson has three opponents in this year’s primary election.
Hopkins, 75, said he likes how Carson has represented Indianapolis. He didn’t like Republicans’ effort last year to redraw the state’s congressional maps to make it harder for Democrats to get elected.
It’s OK if you don’t agree with him, he said, but you should come out to vote.
“You have to vote,” Hopkins said. “You can’t complain about what’s going on in the world if you don’t vote.”
UPDATE 2 p.m.
‘We need a change’
LaShanna McGriff, Democrat, said she voted because, “we need a change.”
She told Indy Documenter Lauren Holton, “What’s going on today in the world, it’s not constitutional and it’s not right.”
UPDATE 1:30 p.m.
‘I had to set a good example for my daughter’
Mother and daughter LaTasha Goldsmith, 46, and Myla Roberts, 18, voted together at the Washington Township Government Center.
“I had to set a good example for my daughter,” Goldsmith said. “I always come out and vote, and I definitely wanted to come out with her since it was her first time.”
Roberts said taking a government and economics class at North Central High School encouraged her to vote.
“It made me realize how much power my voice has,” Roberts said. “Also, my boyfriend’s mom works in politics.”
UPDATE 1 p.m.
Checking in at the polls
Mirror Indy photo intern Abra Richardson visited the Old Bethel United Methodist Church polling location this morning.
She captured photos of Eduardo Wedekind as he helped Stacey Burdine cast her ballot. She also watched as Richard Dodson, below, made his way to cast his vote.
UPDATE 12:45 p.m.
Choosing candidates that reflect values
Victoria Schultz, a Democrat, said voting is important.
“If we want to see any change, then that’s how we do it,” she told Indy Documenter Lauren Holton. “It’s important for us to elect representatives that reflect some of our values and that can really help to implement that change that we want to see.”
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.
Doing his duty and his homework
When Chapel Hill/Ben Davis resident Doug Brewington began voting in 1980, it was a loud process.
“You’d close the curtain, hit some buttons, pull the lever and you’d hear a ‘clang,’” he said.
Now, at age 65, he says both the voting process and picking a candidate have gotten easier.
“I do my homework,” he said. “It’s fairly simple. You can look everybody up online nowadays. It’s easy to figure out who you like and who you don’t like.”
Brewington believes it’s everyone’s duty to vote, no matter their political preference.
“Republican. Democrat. It don’t matter,” he said. “Just do a little homework and come out to vote. Our forefathers fought for this, and you know you should honor it and take part in the process.”
UPDATE 12:15 p.m.
‘I didn’t vote for a long time’
Indy Documenter Tiffany Barron spoke to Jason Adams, a Democrat, at the Broad Ripple Park Family Center.
“I didn’t vote for a long time and now I make a point of voting whenever I can,” Adams said.
A correction was made at 1:30 p.m. May 5: A previous version of this story misspelled Jason Adams’ name. We’ve updated the story to the correct spelling.
UPDATE 11:45 a.m.
The voter who wanted a longer line
Christopher Reed, 47, was disappointed he didn’t see a longer line to vote at the John Boner Neighborhood Centers.
“Look how empty it is,” he said.
Reed, a Democrat, was among about 150 people who voted at the neighborhood center as of 10:50 a.m. He said voting is an opportunity to put pressure on politicians, even ones who aren’t on the ballot.
Reed was especially interested in the race for Senate District 46. He happened to show up at the same time that one of the candidates, Clif Marsiglio, was greeting voters outside. Reed said he voted for Marsiglio.
“Just the fact that he’s out here,” he said, “that means a lot to me.”
UPDATE 11:30 a.m.
Voting for the future
Samuel Dicken, a Democrat, voted early in the morning at the Broad Ripple Park Family Center.
He was interviewed by Indy Documenter Tiffany Barron.
“It’s really important,” Dicken said. “I have one kid, another one on the way. I want to make sure I vote according to how I think the future should go.”
UPDATE 10:30 a.m.
Most polling locations open with smooth start
Aside from a slight delay on the northeast side, election workers say polls opened smoothly.
Voting at the Craig Academy location in Lawrence was delayed after a poll worker was involved in a car accident this morning, said Dan Goldblatt with the Marion County Clerk’s Office.
All 182 vote centers across Marion County are now open.
As of 10 a.m. more than 20,000 people across the county have voted, the clerk’s office reported. Anecdotally, Goldblatt said turnout is higher than in past primaries.
“They’re busier than they usually are,” Goldblatt said of the polls.
Despite that, Goldblatt said he hasn’t seen lines at the eastside polling locations he’s visited so far this morning.
UPDATE 10:15 a.m.
‘A bunch of really good candidates’
It’s the first time Sam Hoke, 25, voted in a primary election. The Butler University musical arts student felt obligated to vote.
“It’s not really enough to kinda stand around and do nothing,” he said. “If you want something to change, you have to go out and make that change.”
Hoke is passionate about road construction and “keeping PAC money out of local and national elections.”
The Democrat said he had a hard time choosing a candidate in the 7th Congressional District race.
“We have a bunch of really good candidates,” he said. “I went with George Hornedo. I like André Carson, but I haven’t noticed a lot of change in the last however many years he’s been in that seat.”
But Hoke said that if Carson wins the primary, he will vote for him in the general election in November.
UPDATE 10 a.m.
A view from the polls
Mirror Indy photo intern Abra Richardson is visiting the polls today.
She captured George France and Erick Mickelson welcoming people to the polls on the east side at IFD Station #41.
UPDATE 9:30 a.m.
Looking for ‘progressive voices’
Stephen Weathers voted early in the morning at Christian Park on the east side.
Weathers, 41, said he votes in every election. This year, the Democrat said he was especially motivated by current hot-button issues, such as data centers.
“Just wanting to have strong, progressive voices,” Weathers said.
UPDATE 9:15 a.m.
‘Come out and have your voice heard’
Clare Roe, 45, voted at the Perry Township Government Center because she’s unhappy with what’s happening in the world.
“I wanna feel like the people that are in power actually care for the people in general,” Roe said. “I want things to be more affordable again. I want women’s health to be considered. I want marginalized people to be recognized. Immigration — every single issue that we talk about.”
The Perry Township resident, who started voting in 2016, said people who are registered to vote should make sure their voices are heard.
“Especially in the state of Indiana, it seems like your voice will not be heard,” Roe said, “but it will be heard. So no matter who you vote for, just come out and have your voice heard so that we can try to make some sort of change.”
UPDATE 9 a.m.
‘Too many uncontested elections’
After dropping his son off at school, Marshawn Wolley, a registered Democrat, stopped at the MLK Center to vote in the primary election.
“I am extremely angry,” Wolley said. “I think the Democratic Party hasn’t fought nearly as hard as it should have, so I’m frustrated about that. I also appreciated that we have a lot more candidates.
But he said there still were too many uncontested races in the county “given where we are in our democracy.”
Wolley has voted in every primary. Politics is a part of Wolley’s day-to-day. He owns a lobbying firm and is affiliated with the African American Coalition of Indianapolis.
He said he voted for candidates who he believes will deliver on their jobs, such as U.S. Rep. André Carson.
“I have been really concerned about the deconstruction of civil rights, and I need candidates that understand that moment and are pushing back and fighting hard,” Wolley said.
UPDATE 8:45 a.m.
‘It’s my civic duty’
One of the biggest issues for near eastsider Rebekah Ryan, 36, is affordability and housing.
“We have a lot of change going on in our community, but there’s definitely people who are getting left behind,” Ryan said.
She came out to the Boner Fitness and Learning Center to vote because, she said, “it’s my civic duty.”
She’s hoping elected officials will address issues that affect her community, especially data centers.
“I think we’re jumping on projects that seem ambitious and are giving good cuts to certain people,” Ryan said, “but when it actually trickles down to what it’s going to cost to the individual, we’re gonna be up a creek.”
UPDATE 8:15 a.m.
Trying to pick the best candidate
When it comes to voting, West Indianapolis resident Clark May, 73, always follows his heart. He considers himself an independent, so he only votes for a mainstream party during the primary elections.
He says he tries to vote for the best person for the job.
“I look for somebody that’s trying to help the people, trying to actually make things better and not necessarily in their beliefs,” he said. “Too many people are pushing their religion on other people and I don’t care for that.”
May has voted in almost every election since he turned 18 and he thinks everyone should take the time to vote whenever they can.
“I vote for what I think is best and if they don’t agree, they need to come out and vote to cancel mine, right?” he said.
UPDATE 8 a.m.
‘If you don’t vote, then nothing changes’
A couple of the first people to vote in the 2026 primary election at the Rhodius Park Family Center were longtime West Indianapolis residents Viney and Daton Haney, both 68.
They don’t like to talk about who they voted for, but they know what they want in a candidate.
“I’m looking for someone with honesty,” said Viney Haney. “Quit telling lies and fix the city. There’s no reason it should be in the state it is in.”
The Haneys think coming out and voting is an obvious thing, no matter your political preference.
“I don’t understand why people don’t vote,” said Daton Haney. “If you don’t vote, then nothing changes. Your vote counts.”
UPDATE 6 a.m.
Polls open at 6 a.m.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As a reminder, if you’re in line to vote at 6 p.m., stay in line.
You can cast a ballot at any vote center in Marion County, not just the one that’s closest to you. Find a vote center near where you live or work using this map.
If you’re heading out to vote today, check out Mirror Indy’s primary election guide.
We’ve got the details on candidates in competitive national, state and local races, as well as in-depth candidate profiles and information on what to bring to the polls.
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