This week is officially election week. So if you haven’t already made plans to vote in the May 7 primary, it’s time to do so. Voting will be open from 6am to 6pm local time on Tuesday.
IndyStar has put together a primer on what people living in central Indiana need to know to vote.
IndyStar Election Night Live:Join IndyStar journalists and local experts on May 7 for live analysis of the primary’s biggest races
How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
Voters can double-check that they are registered by visiting indianavoters.in.gov and entering their information.
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, it’s too late to do so before the May primary. However, you can register to vote for the November general election by visiting indianavoters.in.gov.
Where can I vote?
In Marion County, voters can vote at any polling place on Election Day. A list of available locations and a map of the sites can be found at vote.indy.gov/vote-centers. Boone, Hendricks, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby and Hancock counties all allow voters to go to any voting center within the county.
Hamilton County residents must vote at their assigned location. Voting locations can be found at indianavoters.in.gov.
What you need to know before going to the polling place
- Decide which political party to vote for. In Indiana, voters are not registered with a specific political party, so when they arrive at the polls they must tell poll workers whether they want to vote Republican or Democrat. Depending on what you choose, the number of races you can vote on will change.
- Please bring your ID: Indiana law requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID that shows their name, photo, and expiration date since the last general election. As long as you meet the criteria above, you can use your student ID from an Indiana state school rather than a private university.
What races are on my ballot?
The following positions will be elected this year:
But not everyone has a choice in every elected office. Some races are uncontested or have no candidates. You can see who is on a particular ballot at indianavoters.in.gov.
Who is running for governor?
On the Republican ballot are Sen. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, Fort Wayne entrepreneur Eric Dowden, former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and mother of five Jamie. – Lightner is running for governor.
IndyStar introduced the Republican candidates as follows:
Jennifer McCormick, a former state schools superintendent, is the only Democratic candidate in the gubernatorial race.
Do I have the right to choose a U.S. senator or president?
It depends on whether you draw Republican or Democratic votes.
As for president, President Joe Biden is the only Democratic candidate. Republicans, on the other hand, technically have a choice between former President Donald Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. However, Haley withdrew from the race after qualifying to vote in Indiana.
In the U.S. Senate, Rep. Jim Banks will be the only Republican candidate on the ballot. Democrats will have to choose between Rep. Mark Carmichael and Rep. Valerie McCray.
What other races should I read about?
The following Congressional primaries are shaping up to be competitive, two of which will be held in central Indiana.
- Republican 3rd Congressional District Primary: Eight Republican candidates are running in the Northeast Indiana district, as Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks is running for one of Indiana’s Senate seats. Nonprofit executive Tim Smith, former Allen County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Davis, former 3rd District Rep. Marlin Stutzman, and state Sen. Andy Zhai will all be making loans, including personal loans, by mid-April. raised the most funds.
- Republican 5th Congressional District Primary: Nine Republican candidates are running for this district, which stretches from north Hamilton County to Grant County. Internal polling shows U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz and Noblesville state Rep. Chuck Goodrich as the frontrunners.
- Republican 6th Congressional District Primary: U.S. Rep. Greg Pence has decided not to seek re-election in the district, which includes southern Marion County, sparking a contentious seven-candidate Republican primary. Former Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve, state Rep. Mike Speedy, state Sen. Jeff Raats, former congressmen John Jacob and Bill Frazier, businessmen Jamison Carrier and Darrin Childress. I am a candidate.
- Republican 8th Congressional District Primary: U.S. Representative Larry Buchshon is also not seeking re-election. Seven Republicans are running for office in southwestern Indiana. State Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, and former U.S. Rep. John Hostetler are the front-runners.
There are also a number of competitive statehouse races. There are no incumbents in Hamilton County’s three Republican primaries this year, with state Reps. Jerry Toll, Donna Shively and Chuck Goodrich resigning.
You can read all of IndyStar’s election coverage here.
Contact IndyStar Government and Politics Editor Kaitlin Lange or follow her at Kaitlin.Lange@indystar.com. X @Kaitlin_Lange.
