{"id":1681,"date":"2020-05-21T12:00:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T16:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/raisethevote\/?p=1681"},"modified":"2020-05-15T12:01:54","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T16:01:54","slug":"your-guide-to-the-indiana-primaries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/raisethevote\/2020\/05\/21\/your-guide-to-the-indiana-primaries\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to the Indiana Primaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Voting can be a complicated process, especially during an unprecedented global pandemic<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0which has already disrupted, and will continue to disrupt, our electoral processes. This guide to the Indiana primary elections will answer questions ranging from election rules, candidates to consider, changes in the voting process due to COVID-19, and ways to maintain student engagement in our political process despite the closure of campus buildings and stay-at-home orders imposed throughout the nation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When is<\/b>\u00a0the Primary Election?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 2<\/span>nd<\/span>. The original date of May 5<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0was pushed back 28 days by Gov. Eric Holcomb, who signed an executive order and announced the decision on Friday, March 20<\/span>th<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the Primary Election rules?<\/h3>\n

The only prerequisite to vote in the primary election is to be a registered vote<\/span><\/b>r.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indiana is a \u201cmodified open\u201d primary state, meaning that voters do not officially declare a party affiliation on their voter registration forms and formal party affiliation is not required to vote in the primaries. Indiana election law stipulates that in order to participate in a party\u2019s primary, a\u00a0<\/span>voter must have either voted for a majority of that party\u2019s nominees in the last general election or must intend to vote for a majority of the party\u2019s nominees in the upcoming general election. In practice, however, secret balloting makes this provision of the law unenforceable. This creates an open primary system in which voters can participate in the primary election of their choice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indiana residents may register to vote if they have a valid Indiana driver\u2019s license or Indiana state identification card, are a citizen of the United States, are at least 18 years old on or before the next general, municipal or special election, have lived in the precinct for a least 30 days before the next general municipal or special election, and are not currently imprisoned after being convicted of a crime. A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary election if the voter turns 18 on or before the next general or municipal election, but may only vote for primary candidates and may not vote on public questions such as a school referendum seeking additional funding for local public schools. In the case of the 2020 Indiana primary election, 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in the primary if they turn 18 on or before November 3, 2020.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I know if I am registered to vote\u2014and if I\u2019m not, when is the voter\u00a0registration\u00a0deadline?<\/h3>\n

Voters can check their registration status on\u00a0<\/span>indianavoters.com<\/span><\/a>, which redirects voters to the official voter information portal of the Indiana Secretary of State. If a voter is unregistered, there are three simple ways to register\u00a0<\/span>in the future (the May 4<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0deadline for the upcoming election has already passed):\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Online Registration<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Voters can register online at\u00a0<\/span>indianavoters.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0with their driver\u2019s license.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. By Mail Registration\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2013 Voters can download and print a voter registration form from\u00a0<\/span>www.in.gov\/sos\/elections\/2403<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and mail it in to their country\u2019s voter registration office, the Indiana Election Division, or any BMV license branch before the voter registration deadline.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. In Person<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Voters can register in person at their local registration office or BMV license branch. Although, given the current circumstances, with government offices closed or offering limited access and services, state officials encourage voters to register by mail or online.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The original voter registration deadline of April 6<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0was delayed by 28 days in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the election date and all corresponding deadlines were delayed to give election administrators time to figure out how to conduct a safe and secure election.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Who and\u00a0What\u00a0is on my Primary Ballot?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    This primary election consists of votes your party representative for:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Where can I find my polling location or voting center?<\/h3>\n

    Voting centers will be available in many counties despite the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find your polling location online at\u00a0<\/span>indianavoters.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0under the \u201cFind My Polling Location\u201d<\/span>
    \ntab. The number of polling locations will be greatly reduced during the 2020 primary election and both county and state election officials are encouraging Indiana residents to vote by mail.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n