INDIANAPOLIS — October 22, 2026. Indiana voters who qualify to vote absentee by mail have until 11:59 p.m. local time Thursday, October 22, to get their application to election officials for the November 3 general election, according to the Indiana Election Division.
The deadline applies to applications for mail ballots, not to ballots already issued. The county election office or state must actually receive the application before the cutoff; a postmark by October 22 is not sufficient. Indiana provides an official voter portal and an absentee-voting guide with instructions.
Who may request a ballot by mail?
Unlike states that permit no-excuse mail voting, Indiana generally requires voters to meet a listed eligibility condition. Examples include being 65 or older, having a disability, expecting to be outside the county during Election Day voting hours, having qualifying work or caregiving obligations, or lacking transportation. The state publishes the complete list; voters should check the rules rather than assume they qualify.
Applications must include an accepted identification number or a copy of an ID that meets state requirements, the Election Division says. An application must be made for each election.
Voters can still vote in person
Missing the mail-ballot application deadline does not close off in-person voting. Indiana offers early in-person absentee voting through noon Monday, November 2, at designated county locations, including both Saturdays immediately before the election. Hours and locations vary by county and are listed through the official Indiana Voters portal.
The Election Division says completed absentee ballots must be received by county election boards by 6 p.m. local time November 3. Election Day polling places are open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. local time.
Source: Indiana Secretary of State, Election Division. Reporting by SNN Newsroom.
