Pre-registering to vote in Indiana can be confusing. We broke it down for you

Indiana, like many states, allows minors under the age of 18 to pre-register to vote, so when they’re of-age they can cast their ballot.

But Indiana’s rules only approve pre-registration after the most recent election is over.

Some people took to social media to express their confusion about that process, noting that they –– or a family member who is currently 18 –– had pre-registered last year but were told they weren’t in the system when they went to cast a ballot this election.

Here’s how it works.

Some states, including Michigan and Minnesota, allow minors to register to vote as soon as they turn 16, adding them to voter lists with a “pending” status until they turn 18.

In Indiana, a person who is 17 years old can pre-register to vote if they turn 18 on or before the next special, municipal, or general election.

So, a 17 year old must turn 18 on or before November 5, 2024, to be able to pre-register and vote in the upcoming election.

The person can vote in a primary as long as they’ll be 18 in time for the general election.

But pre-registration can vary based on where a person lives in Indiana. So, for example, if someone attempted to pre-register before a municipal or special election in their town or city when they would not be old enough to vote, that registration would be rejected.

Officials say people should receive mailed notice of that rejection and that they would need to fill out a new registration form.

Angela Nussmeyer, co-director of the Indiana Election Division, said if someone of the same age applied in a county that did not have an election, they could be successfully pre-registered.

“This voter should have their registration approved by county officials since the voter turns 18 on or before the November 2024 general election,” Nussmeyer said.

Nussmeyer said people should reach out directly to their County Clerk or the elections and registration boards where they live for questions about their specific cases and for more information.

Voter registration has closed for the November election.

Election Day is November 5.

Contact Health Reporter Benjamin Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org.