Bill to Shorten Indiana's Early Voting Period Passes Through Committee

The bill heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Senate Elections Committee has approved an amended bill that would shorten the state's early voting period. 

House Bill 1359 reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office from 28 days to a 16-day period, ending at noon on the day before the election. 

Those in favor of the bill say it will save the state money and make elections easier to administer. 

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. If passed into law, the new in person voting procedures would take effect as soon as the May 2026 primary. 

The Indiana Democratic Party released the following statement:

"After 20+ years in charge, all Indiana Republicans have delivered are out-of-control utility bills and taxpayer-funded handouts to billionaires. They know Hoosiers are sick of it and the only way they can stay in power this November is if they make it harder to vote,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian. “Indiana’s elections are safe and secure with the current 28-day window of early voting. There’s no good explanation to cut that period in half. This is a desperate, last-ditch attempt of a failing political party trying to hold onto power when they know they’ve lost the support of the people.”