Voter turnout in Central Indiana continues to trend low for primary elections

Preliminary voter turnout in Indianapolis and its donut counties, areas surrounding the state’s largest city, were less than 20 percent in the May 7 primary election. These are the counties that cast the most ballots for the United States Congressional races.

Marion County had the lowest voter turnout out of all the donut counties. Only 85,700 people voted in Marion County out of more than 632,000 registered voters — a roughly 13.5 percent turnout. That’s fewer ballots than during the 2020 primary election, which had a turnout of 22 percent.

More than 19,400 voted in Johnson County out of more than 119,900 registered voters — a 16 percent turnout. That’s significantly less than four years ago when turnout was nearly 35 percent.

Voter turnout was slightly higher in Hamilton county, where over 51,800 people went to the polls out of more than 272,000 registered voters — a 19 percent turnout. In 2020, 29% of residents there voted.

Just over 12,000 ballots were cast in Hancock County out of roughly 62,700 registered voters — a 19 percent turnout.

Official results from the county elections department will be posted in the coming weeks, after provisional and military ballots are counted.

General Election Day is Nov. 5.

Contact WFYI health reporter Elizabeth Gabriel at egabriel@wfyi.org.