NewsPBS NewsHourMay 5, 2026United States
Indiana Primary Election Guide: What to Know
Indiana voters are heading to the polls for primary elections featuring contested races for the U.S. House and state legislature. The election includes high-profile challenges against state senators who previously opposed a redistricting effort backed by Donald Trump.
Read the full story at PBS NewsHourWhy It Matters
The outcome of these primaries will determine the Republican nominees for state Senate seats and the Democratic nominee for the 7th Congressional District, influencing the political composition of the Indiana legislature and U.S. House representation.
Key Facts
- Polls close at 6 p.m. local time, with some districts in the Central time zone closing at 7 p.m. ET.
- Seven Republican state senators are facing primary challengers endorsed by Donald Trump for opposing a 2025 redistricting plan.
- Indiana does not register voters by party; voters select a party ballot at the polls.
- Voters must present a valid ID to cast a ballot.
- State law requires voters to have voted for a majority of a party's candidates in the last general election or plan to do so in the next, though this is largely unenforceable.
- There are no automatic recounts in Indiana; losing candidates may request and pay for a recount.
- Absentee ballots can be processed upon receipt and counting may begin before polls close.
- Most Indiana counties include early and absentee results in their first vote update of the night.
- There were approximately 4.8 million registered voters in Indiana as of November 2024.
- The 7th Congressional District Democratic primary features incumbent Andre Carson against three challengers.
Who's Mentioned
personPaula Copenhaver“Primary challenger for District 23 state senate seat.”personDestiny Wells“Democratic primary challenger in the 7th Congressional District.”personGeorge Hornedo“Democratic primary challenger in the 7th Congressional District.”personDenise Paul Hatch“Democratic primary challenger in the 7th Congressional District.”personKamala Harris“Former Vice President and 2024 Democratic candidate.”personDonald Trump“Former President endorsing primary challengers against Indiana state senators.”personAndre Carson“U.S. Representative for the 7th Congressional District seeking renomination.”personGreg Goode“Incumbent state senator for District 38.”personSpencer Deery“Incumbent state senator for District 23 facing a primary challenge.”