On April 8, the same day as the total solar eclipse that will be visible in Indiana, residents of the state are reminded that it is also the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary election. Many county offices will be closed in anticipation of the eclipse, but exceptions may extend the deadline for some voters. If a county office is closed on the deadline date, the in-person application deadline is extended to noon the following day, giving Hoosiers until Tuesday, April 9 at noon to register to vote if their county office was closed due to the eclipse. Residents are advised to check with their county for operation hours to determine if the deadline has been extended.
While the deadline for in-person voter registration may be moved in some counties due to the eclipse, the deadline to register online remains the same. Hoosiers must submit online applications by 11:59 p.m. on April 8 in order to register for the upcoming primary. The total solar eclipse will result in all of Indiana seeing at least a partial eclipse, with the path of totality crossing a large swath of central and southern Indiana, including cities such as Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Muncie. The celestial event is expected to drive significant tourism to the state.
The Indiana Election Division’s newsletter noted that regardless of whether a county is closed for “eclipse day,” early voting will not be delayed and will start Tuesday with the opening of a county office. The co-director of the election division, Angela Nussmeyer, mentioned that the office does not have a count of how many counties may have modified hours due to the eclipse. While some county offices may be closed, the deadline for in-person voter registration will be extended if this is the case, allowing residents extra time to register.
Indiana’s primary election is scheduled for May 7, and it is crucial for residents to make sure they are registered to vote before the upcoming deadline. The eclipse on April 8 serves as a reminder of this important date, and residents are encouraged to take the necessary steps to ensure they are able to participate in the democratic process. With the total solar eclipse coinciding with the voter registration deadline, Indiana residents are reminded to look beyond the skies and towards their voter registration status on this significant day.
