Vote Absentee by Mail
Apply to Vote by Mail with an Absentee Ballot
All registered voters who would like to vote by mail in Indiana for the 2024 Primary Election must complete and properly submit an application by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024. You can apply for an application online at IndianaVoters.IN.gov or download the application and submit to the Election Board before the deadline. You must reapply for an absentee ballot for each election in which you want to vote by mail.
How Does Absentee Voting Work?
Registered voters who are unable to vote in person at a Vote Center on Election Day, may cast an absentee ballot. Voters can apply for an absentee-by-mail ballot, swearing or affirming under penalties of perjury, they will be absent from the county on Election Day, are 65 years old, confined to a residence due to illness or injury, caring for someone who is ill or injured, or use another valid excuse found in Section 5 of the application. The 12 acceptable reasons are listed on the application, which can be viewed and downloaded here. Due to legislative changes in 2023, voters must provide more information on their application than in previous elections. Please read the form carefully and provide the required information in Section 3 of the form. Applications that are improperly completed may be rejected by the Election Board.
Once approved, the Marion County Election Board staff will mail the voter an absentee ballot. Upon receipt, voters should confirm the precinct code is correct and the back of the ballot contains two sets of initials. After voting, they can return the ballot by mail or hand deliver it to an Election Board office or an Early Voting or Election Day Vote Center.
How We Process Absentee Ballots
A step-by-step look at the absentee-by-mail ballot process.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Completing Your Absentee Application and Ballot
Listed below are instructions to help you apply for your absentee-by-mail ballot, online or on paper, and to ensure your ballot is correctly completed, signed, and returned in time to be counted.
- Visit Indianavoters.IN.gov.
- Select the blue box in the middle, “Vote by Mail or Traveling Board” and click “Apply Online/Get Forms.”
- Select “Visit My Voter Portal” and type in your name, date of birth, and county to log in.
- Verify your information is correct, and then continue to select “Vote By Mail”.
- Complete and submit your application by Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Tips for Completing the Paper Absentee-by-Mail Application
Section 1. Information of Absentee Ballot Applicant
- Provide your full name and date of birth, as they appear on your voter registration.
- Provide the address where you are currently registered to vote. To update your voter registration record, visit Indianavoters.IN.gov or call the Marion County Board of Voter Registration at (317) 327-5040. This must be completed before April 8, 2024 for the May 7, 2024 election.
- Provide a telephone number for the Marion County Election Board staff to call if they have questions about your application.
Section 2. Absentee Ballot Mailing Address
- Provide the address where the ballot should be mailed. Only provide a mailing address if it is different from your voter registration address.
Section 3. Voter Identification (You MUST Complete Option 1 or Option 2)
- Option 1
- The last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number
AND - The voter’s Indiana driver’s license number, or
- The voter’s Indiana identification card number, or
- Voter’s unique voter ID number assigned to their voter registration record, or
- Other proof of identification described in the state’s photo ID law (IC 3-5-2-40.5)
- The last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number
- Option 2
- Submit with the application, a photocopy of the voter’s Indiana driver’s license, Indiana identification card, or other proof of identification described in the state’s photo ID law (IC 3-5-2-40.5)
Section 4. Primary Election Only
- Select a political party. You may choose to vote only on a public question if there is one for your precinct.
Section 5. Reason to Vote by Absentee Mail
- Check the box that best describes the reason you’re requesting an absentee-by-mail ballot.
Section 6. Voter’s Affirmation & Signature
- Affix your original handwritten signature in ink in the space provided.
- Print the date in the space provided.
Section 7. Information of Individual Assisting Absentee Ballot Applicant
- If you require assistance completing this application, the person who assisted you must provide their information in Section 7.
Casting Your Absentee-by-Mail Ballot
If your application is approved, you will receive an absentee-by-mail ballot via the United States Postal Service.
When you receive your ballot, please read all instructions that accompany your ballot in the envelope. Ensure your precinct is correct and the ballot has two sets of initials on the back. Your precinct can be found on the bottom-right corner of the ballot.
Make selections on your ballot for each contest in which you wish to vote, sign the secrecy envelope, and return your absentee ballot to the Election Board in the postage-paid envelope. You may also hand deliver your ballot to the City-County Building (W-144), Election Service Center at 3737 E Washington St., or any Early Voting location. You can also drop off your marked ballot at any Vote Center before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Applications and ballots postmarked by the deadline, but physically received after the deadline, cannot be processed by the Election Board.
If someone other than you, the voter, will be delivering your marked ballot, this individual must meet the statutory criteria listed at the top of the ABS-19: Affidavit of Individual Delivering a Voter’s Marked Absentee Ballot to County. Generally, the only people authorized to return a ballot for another person must be a member of the voter’s household, relative, or attorney in fact. If so, they must complete and sign the ABS-19 form when delivering someone else’s ballot.
Defective Ballots and Requesting a New Ballot
If your ballot doesn’t have two sets of initials, and/or doesn’t show your assigned voting precinct (Two letters and three numbers. Examples: CN004, WR023, LA046), your vote will not be counted. Check for errors before making your selections and return defective ballots as soon as possible. To do this, you can:
- Scratch out the barcode and signature line on the security envelope, then place the defective ballot into the security envelope, and write “SPOILED” on the outside of the envelope to help our staff identify these ballots on arrival. You can then drop the defective ballot in the mail or return it to an Early Voting site.
- Once the ballot is returned, the voter will then need to complete an ABS-5 form (Statement Concerning Defective, Lost, Destroyed, or Spoiled Absentee Ballot) to request a replacement ballot. The forms can be completed in person at the City-County Building or Election Service Center. Voters can also download the form and return the completed form with their defective ballot in person to the City-County Building, Election Service Center, or by one of the following means:
Mail: Marion County Election Service Center, 3737 E Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46201
Email: elections@indy.gov
Fax: 317-327-3590 - After the ABS-5 form and defective ballot are received, Election Board staff can mail a new ballot the same day.
Absentee by Mail Frequently Asked Questions
What steps do I need to take to get an absentee-by-mail ballot?
Complete and submit an online application or download the form and mail it to the Marion County Election Board at 3737 E Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46201. Find the online application or the form at Indianavoters.IN.gov.
How do I complete my absentee-by-mail ballot?
When you receive the absentee ballot in the mail, carefully read all the additional instructional materials that come with it. Complete the ballot by marking the ovals next to your choice(s) in each contest. Be sure to check the back of the ballot for additional contests and make sure there are two sets of initials in the boxes at the bottom.
Where do I return my completed absentee ballot?
Return your ballot in the mail. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. You can also hand deliver your ballot to the Election Service Center at 3737 E. Washington St., or any Early Voting location, including the Marion County Clerk’s Office (W-122) in the City-County Building, or any Vote Center before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.
What if my ballot is missing two sets of initials or doesn’t show my assigned voting precinct?
If your ballot does not include two sets of initials or lists an incorrect precinct, your vote won’t be counted. Please call the Election Board office at (317) 327-5100 for guidance on how to receive a new ballot. The section above, titled “Defective Ballots & Requesting a New Ballot” also outlines the steps needed to receive a new ballot.
When do I need to return my absentee-by-mail ballot to ensure it will be counted?
Absentee-by-mail ballots must be received before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day. Please allow up to 14 days for the postal service to deliver your ballot in time to be counted. Alternatively, you can drop off your absentee-by-mail ballot at the Election Service Center at 3737 E. Washington St., or any Early Voting location, including the Marion County Clerk’s Office (W-122) in the City-County Building, or any Vote Center before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Is absentee-by-mail voting secure?
Absentee-by-mail voting is secure and reliable. The United States Postal Service (USPS) prioritizes election mail to move through the mail stream more efficiently. Each ballot envelope includes a USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) to help track it and ensure delivery. Once received, Election Board staff can approve and process ballots according to state law. Watch the video here to learn more about the process.
How do I know my absentee-by-mail ballot will be counted?
Ballots received before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day and approved by bipartisan teams will be counted. Voters can check the status of their ballot at Indianavoters.IN.gov–click “Visit My Voter Portal.”
Can I turn in someone else’s absentee ballot?
Yes, if you meet the statutory criteria listed at the top of the ABS-19: Affidavit of Individual Delivering a Voter’s Marked Absentee Ballot to County. Generally, the only people authorized to return a ballot for another person must be a member of the voter’s household, relative, or attorney in fact. If you meet that criteria, you must complete and sign the ABS-19 form when delivering someone else’s ballot.