Marion and Hamilton Counties Report Record Early Ballot Counts

Election officials in Marion and Hamilton counties reported a sharp rise in early voting activity on Monday, a period typically reserved for midterm contests. The surge in turnout occurred without a race for president, governor, or U.S. senator on the ballot. Officials attributed the increase to strong voter interest in local issues and a desire to avoid crowded lines on Election Day.

Marion County recorded approximately 86,000 in-person early ballots, setting a new record for a midterm election. As the noon deadline for early voting arrived, roughly 300 voters remained in line. Dan Goldblatt, a spokesperson for the Marion County Clerk’s Office, noted that voters were standing in cold and drizzly weather. He stated that their presence showed a clear desire to be heard. "They are coming out in droves," Goldblatt said. "They are standing in line. They are, today, waiting in the cold and drizzle."

In Hamilton County, officials counted roughly 70,000 in-person early ballots. This figure is nearly double the 40,000 cast in 2022 and approaches the 98,000 recorded in the 2024 presidential cycle. Beth Sheller, the Hamilton County Election Administrator, pointed to school referendums in almost every city on the ballot as a key driver of participation. She described the midterm turnout as comparable to a presidential election. "To even compare a midterm to a presidential (election) is really something," Sheller said.

Statewide data from the Indiana Election Division shows 714,724 early in-person ballots cast. This total is about one-third higher than the 538,623 cast in 2022. It remains well below the 1,397,163 ballots recorded in 2024. Nationally, at least eight states saw early voting increases of 30% or more. South Carolina reported the largest jump, with an 83% increase compared to four years ago.

At the City-County Building in Indianapolis, lines extended out the door and across Lugar Plaza toward Washington Street. Trevor Bradley, a voter in the queue, explained that he had attempted to vote in Lawrence on Sunday but faced a line three times longer. He chose to wait in Indianapolis rather than skip his civic duty. "I’ll just stay in the line if it takes two hours," Bradley said. "It’s my duty, it’s my responsibility and it’s my obligation to me."

Polls open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 6 p.m. Voters must be registered and present a valid state or federal photo ID at sign-in. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday to issue free photo IDs to non-drivers. The paper printout provided by the BMV serves as acceptable identification.