Election Day live updates from Indiana: What to know before you head to the polls

IndyStar reporters will spend Election Day talking to voters, candidates and poll workers. Follow along from the polls open to close and check back for race results this evening.

Marion County early voting turnout strong compared to 2019 municipal election

As of Monday afternoon, 33,498 residents in Marion County had voted early, according to data compiled by the Marion County Clerk’s office. That’s nearly three times the 11,826 who voted early for the 2019 municipal election. (Due to a city holiday, there was one less day of early voting availability this year than in the 2019 election cycle.)

Statewide, voter turnout in the 2019 municipal general election was just 23%, according to data provided by the Secretary of State’s office, with 153,518 Hoosiers voting absentee, which includes early votes. In Marion County, 153,933 residents voted, and 34,618 voted in Hamilton County.

More: Meet the new Indianapolis City-County Council candidates who can’t lose on Election Day

Where can I vote in the 2023 Indiana general election?

Polls are open in Indiana from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You must have a valid photo identification issued by the U.S. government or the state of Indiana with a name conforming to the one on your voter registration. It must be valid or have an expiration date at some point since the last general election (Nov. 8, 2022). More information on the state’s voter ID law and acceptable forms of identification can be found here: bit.ly/4728kFI.

Indiana voter registration guide: How to check voter status, options to vote, what to know

Marion and Johnson counties both use vote centers, meaning you can cast your ballot at any polling location in the county. A complete list of Marion County vote centers is available at vote.indy.gov/vote-centers. A list of Johnson County vote centers is available at bit.ly/3QN7UgY.

In Hamilton County, voters are required to cast ballots in their assigned precincts. To see what races will be on your ballot and find your polling location, visit indianavoters.in.gov.

Indianapolis mayoral election is one to watch in Marion County

Incumbent Democrat Joe Hogsett is seeking a third term from voters, facing former Republican City-County Councilor Jefferson Shreve in a race that could come down to voters’ attitudes regarding Hogsett’s response to crime in the city.

This has been Indianapolis’ most expensive mayoral race ever, with Shreve donating $13.5 million to his own campaign. If reelected, Hogsett will become the only Indianapolis mayor other than Republican Bill Hudnut to serve more than two terms since 1970.

Hogsett and Shreve: Everything you need to know before voting for Indianapolis mayor

Other races of importance in Marion County include the Indianapolis City-County Council. All 25 seats on the council are up for reelection this year after Democrats took all but five of the seats in the last city election.

More: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 Indianapolis City-County Council election

Voters will cast ballots in new council districts for the first time following a 2022 redistricting process that was seen as being more favorable to Republicans, particularly on the city’s south side.

— Ko Lyn Cheang

Carmel mayoral election is marquee race in Hamilton County

Republican Sue Finkham and Democrat Miles Nelson are running to succeed longtime Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, who did not seek reelection this year for the first time in over two decades. Darin Johnson, a write-in candidate, is also running for mayor, but his name will not appear on ballots. 

Finkam and Nelson are both members of the Carmel City Council, where Finkam has served three terms and Nelson is in his first term.

Carmel mayor race: Sue Finkam and Miles Nelson on housing, roads and sculptures

In other Hamilton County races, voters will decide whether Democrats will make any major gains in traditionally red communities or whether Republicans will maintain majorities. In Carmel, Nelson’s city council district is the only one currently represented by a Democrat. Seven Democrats are running for council seats this year.

In Fishers, seven Democrats, including two incumbents, are running for district and at-large council seats in addition to a contested clerk election. 

Fishers races: Library and school board turmoil puts a spotlight on Fishers. Democrats see an opportunity

Two Democrats are running for council seats in Westfield and one Democrat is running for an at-large seat in Noblesville. 

— Brittany Carloni

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