Register to Vote
Can I register to vote today?
In Indiana, you must be at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the general, municipal, or special election; a U.S Citizen and a resident of a precinct for at least 30 days before the election.
Voter Registration ends on the 29th day before the primary, general, municipal or special election. If the 29th day falls on the Columbus Day state holiday, the voter registration deadline is extended to the following day.
Am I registered to vote?
You can check your voter registration status at indianavoters.in.gov or call Voter Registration at 260-449-7154.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to register to vote?
Yes. You must be a naturally born or fully naturalized U.S. Citizen to register to vote.
Do I need to be 18 to register to vote?
A 17 year old who will be 18 on or before the date of the general election may register to vote.
I live abroad. How do I register to vote?
Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). More information about registering to vote while overseas or in the military is available in this guide.
Can I Vote
Can I vote if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
No. You must be a U.S. Citizen to register and vote.
Can I vote if I am only 17 years old?
17 year olds who will be 18 by the November election are eligible to register and vote in the Primary election. However, they are not permitted to vote on any public question on the ballot. A special 17 year old ballot that does not include the public question(s) is available for those voters.
Can I vote if I am overseas?
The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a combined voter registration and absentee ballot application available only to military and overseas voters. More information about voting while overseas or in the military is available in this guide.
Can I vote if I have a disability?
At a polling location, a voter with a disability or who is unable to read or write English may designate anyone to assist them, including a relative or friend, except for a voter’s employer or their union representative. A voter may also be assisted by two poll workers (each of a different political party.) An affidavit must be completed BEFORE entering the voting machine booth to assist the voter. No one who assists a voter may disclose information about how that person voted.
Each voting location will have at least one booth and voting panel that have been designated for ADA use. These booths have shorter legs with leg extenders that make them more accessible to a person seated in a wheelchair. Machines designated for ADA use will have “Double Talk” hardware which will assist visually impaired voters to hear the ballot through headphones.
Voters with disabilities can vote by mail if they are able to personally mark the ballot. A person with disabilities who is unable to make a voting mark on the ballot or sign the absentee ballot security envelope must vote before an absentee voter board. Contact us for more information.
Can I vote where I go to college?
Indiana allows students to choose where to register to vote. If you are attending college, you may change your registration and vote at your campus address or choose to remain registered at your home address. If registered at your home address, you can request a mailed ballot or come home to vote.
Can I vote if I have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?
In Indiana, voting rights of convicted persons are restored upon their release from incarceration. An individual, who has been released from prison, even if on probation, parole or home detention, may register to vote and vote in elections.
Can I vote if I’ve moved but didn’t update my voter registration before the deadline?
As long as you are a registered voter in Allen County, you can vote in your previous precinct one last time, but will be required to complete a form to update your address.
Mailed Absentee Ballots
Can I send a mailed absentee ballot application for both the primary and general election at the same time?
No. You must wait for 2 weeks after the primary before applying for a general election absentee ballot.
When can I apply for a mailed absentee ballot?
You can apply for a mailed absentee ballot up to 12 days before Election Day.
How do I obtain a mailed absentee ballot?
You may complete an online application at the state’s Voter Portal which will be delivered to us electronically. Once connected to the site, click on “Visit My Voter Portal”, enter your information, look for “Want to apply for an Absentee Ballot?”, and select “Vote by Mail”.
If you prefer, you can send us an email at [email protected], or call us at 260-449-7329 to obtain an application. We will need your name, address and date of birth to process your application.
Do I need an excuse to vote by mailed ballot?
Yes. A complete list of the reasons to request a mailed absentee ballot is located here.
Do I have to apply for a mailed absentee ballot every election?
Yes. Indiana requires an application for an absentee ballot on file for each election.
Do I need to supply photo ID in order to vote by mailed absentee ballot?
No. Indiana does not require Photo ID for mailed absentee ballots.
My mailed ballot has not arrived, is lost or is damaged. What can I do?
You can request a replacement ballot. Call the Election Board for instructions.
Can I change the political party choice after I received a primary election ballot?
No. The Election Board may not provide a voter with a replacement ballot for a political party that is different from the political party indicated on their original application.
How do I mark my mailed absentee ballot?
Instructions for marking and casting your ballot are sent with the voting materials. You can also review this video for instructions on how to vote a mailed absentee ballot. Read these instructions on how to make sure your mailed ballot will count.
When do I return my absentee ballot?
Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the Election Board office no later than 6:00pm Election Day.
Can I have someone drop my absentee ballot off at the Election Board office?
Yes. The following people can drop off your ballot at the Election Board office or an early voting satellite location: your spouse, parent, father in-law, mother in-law, child, son in-law, daughter in-law, brother in-law, sister in-law, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, grandparent, grandchild, any member of your household or your attorney-in-fact. They will be required to complete an affidavit and attach a copy of their power of attorney (if appropriate) with the Election Board office.
Can I vote on Election Day at my voting location if I already received a mailed absentee ballot?
If you have not yet returned your absentee ballot to the Election Board, you can take your ballot to the voting location, surrender it to the precinct Inspector who will mark it cancelled, and vote a regular ballot, if otherwise qualified.
Do you count absentee ballots if the race is not close?
All valid absentee ballots are counted. In fact, they are the first ballots counted on Election Day.
Is voting by mail secure?
Voting by mailed ballots is a very secure way to vote. First, no ballot is prepared for a voter unless an approved application has been processed by a bi-partisan team of workers. Ballots and return envelopes are prepared for each absentee voter and have a unique barcode which identifies the voter the ballot was prepared for. The voter’s signature on the outside of the return envelope is matched to the voter’s signature on file when the ballot is returned. Ballots are not counted if they are not prepared on the proper type of ballot paper or do not include specific technical markings. Voters can track the status of their mailed ballot at the state’s website. Voters can also deliver their ballot directly to the Allen County Election Board office in person if they are concerned about delivery by the Post Office.
Vote Early
How do I vote early?
Allen County registered voters can vote at the Election Board office beginning 27-28 days before the election and no later than noon on the day before the election. Satellite locations open the week before the election with expanded hours. You can select any of the early voting sites when you choose to vote early. View more voting details.
Do I need an excuse to vote early?
No. A voter is not required to provide a reason to vote early at any early voting location.
Will I need an ID for early voting?
Yes. All voters in Indiana must present a photo ID at a voting location before being allowed to vote a regular ballot. Acceptable ID must:
- Display the voter’s photo
- Have the voter’s name which conforms to the name on the voter’s registration (not match exactly)
- Contain an expiration date, which must still be current or expired after the most recent general election
- Be issued by the State of Indiana or the US Government
Some acceptable forms include the Indiana Driver’s license or ID card, some state university IDs, Military IDs, or US Passport.
Exception: A voter who votes in person at a voting location located at a state licensed care facility who resides and is registered to vote at that facility is not required to provide proof of ID.
Voters who do not provide a valid photo ID will still be able to vote a provisional ballot.*
Voting Information
How do I mark my ballot?
Instructions for marking and casting your ballot are posted in each voting location. You can also review this video for instructions on how to vote on the Infinity Voting Machine. The pollworkers can also answer questions about how the machines work, but not about specific questions or candidates on the ballot.
May I receive voting assistance during early voting?
A voter with a disability or who is unable to read or write English may designate anyone to assist them, including a relative or friend, except for a voter’s employer or their union officer or representative. A voter may also be assisted by two poll workers (each of a different political party.) An affidavit must be completed BEFORE entering the booth to assist the voter. No one who assists a voter may disclose information about how that person voted.
Your voting location will have at least one booth and voting panel that have been designated for ADA use. These booths have shorter legs with leg extenders that make them more accessible to a person seated in a wheelchair. Machines designated for ADA use will have “Double Talk” hardware which will assist visually impaired voters to hear the ballot through headphones.
Do I have to declare a political party if I want to vote in a Primary in Indiana?
Yes, unless you want to vote for a public question only. Otherwise, you must select either a Democratic or Republican ballot to vote for candidates who will be on the general election ballot.
How can I change my political party affiliation?
In Indiana, your party affiliation is determined by how you voted in the last primary election in which you voted.
Where can I find out who’s running for office?
You can review your sample ballot at our website to review the candidates or questions on your ballot.
Am I required to vote for everything on the ballot?
No. You must vote for at least one candidate or question in order to vote, but you do not need to mark a vote for every office or question on the ballot.
What if I go to the polls and they try to tell me I am not registered to vote?
Ask the Inspector to call the Voter Registration department to research your registration. If there is still a problem, you can vote a provisional ballot. The content of a provisional ballot is no different from a regular ballot, but it is cast “provisionally” until election officials can research the voter’s eligibility to vote.
Do I need to show ID?
To vote a regular ballot during early voting or on Election Day, you must show Photo ID. Acceptable ID must:
- Display the voter’s photo
- Have the voter’s name which conforms to the name on the voter’s registration (not match exactly)
- Contain an expiration date, which must still be current or expired after the most recent general election
- Be issued by the State of Indiana or the US Government
Some acceptable forms include the Indiana Driver’s license or ID card, some state university IDs, Military IDs, or US Passport.
Exception: A voter who votes in person at a voting location located at a state licensed care facility who resides and is registered to vote at that facility is not required to provide proof of ID.
Voters who do not provide a valid photo ID will still be able to vote a provisional ballot.
Where do I vote on Election Day?
On Election Day, you must cast your ballot at the voting location assigned to your precinct. You can find your assigned voting location at our website.
If I think my voting rights have been violated, what should I do?
Contact the Allen County Election Board (260-449-7329), Indiana Election Division (800-622-4941), Federal Department of Justice (800-253-3931), or Indiana State Police (317-232-4338).
Where can I find local results on Election Night?
On Election night, we will post local results periodically on our website.
Election Security
Allen County voting machines are not connected to the internet or to any other voting system. Our tabulation equipment is not connected to the internet or any other network. We perform cybersecurity sweeps before and after each election to ensure that the voting equipment has not been altered. We work with our partners to continue to evolve as new technology and threats become apparent.
Can the voting machines be rigged?
Allen County and the State of Indiana employ recommendations from security experts and have done so for many years. Independent testing and physical security are some of the strategies used to ensure accurate results. We perform acceptance, logic and accuracy testing prior to every election. We require and document bi-partisan representation during voting machine operations and tabulation. We conduct post-election audits to compare vote totals from a machine’s tabulator to the number of voters who checked in to vote, precinct by precinct. We perform cybersecurity sweeps before and after each election to ensure that the voting equipment has not been altered.
Can you tell if someone tries to vote more than one ballot?
Each voter has a single active record in the statewide voter registration database. When a ballot is received, it is recorded in that voter’s record. If the voter attempts to vote an additional time, the system warns the election official that a ballot has already been returned. Election workers will follow up and report attempts to the Election Board, who may report to the Prosecuting Attorney if further investigation is warranted.
What can I do to help secure elections?
Guard against disinformation. Keep a healthy skepticism whenever you are looking at information on the internet. Consider the source of information. Consider why something might be posted online and who stands to gain from the information. Contact trusted sources to vet information before sharing.
Is voting by mail secure?
Voting by mailed ballots is a very secure way to vote. First, no ballot is prepared for a voter unless an approved application has been processed by a bi-partisan team of workers. Ballots and return envelopes are prepared for each absentee voter and have a unique barcode which identifies the voter the ballot was prepared for. The voter’s signature on the outside of the return envelope is matched to the voter’s signature on file when the ballot is returned. Ballots are not counted if they are not prepared on the proper type of ballot paper or do not include specific technical markings. Voters can track the status of their mailed ballot at the state’s website. Voters can also deliver their ballot directly to the Allen County Election Board office in person if they are concerned about delivery by the Post Office.