In Indiana’s upcoming primary elections, voters will have the opportunity to cast their votes for various races, including the presidency, governorship, Congress, and state legislature. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are the presumptive nominees for their respective parties, with Biden running uncontested in the Democratic primary and Trump as the only active candidate in the Republican primary. However, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has continued to receive a significant share of votes, despite suspending her campaign. Indiana is not expected to be competitive in the presidential election, as Trump has previously won the state with a majority of the vote.
In addition to the presidential race, Indiana voters will choose a new governor, with a crowded six-way Republican primary to replace term-limited GOP Governor Eric Holcomb. The Republicans have coalesced behind U.S. Rep. Jim Banks to replace Sen. Mike Braun, who is running for governor. There are also competitive Republican primaries in several U.S. House districts, as well as multiple state Senate and House seats up for election. The primary day in Indiana will see polls closing at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. ET, and the Associated Press will report on various contested races, including those for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state Senate, and state House.
In terms of delegate allocation, Biden is expected to win all 79 pledged Democratic delegates in Indiana, as he is the only candidate on the ballot. On the Republican side, there are 58 delegates at stake, with 38 awarded to the statewide winner and 20 allocated based on the vote in each of the state’s congressional districts. Trump is anticipated to win the Republican primary, with Haley potentially garnering support in more Democratic-friendly counties as a protest vote. The race for governor is a key contest, with Braun having Trump’s endorsement, which could give him a boost in the election.
Turnout and advance voting in Indiana have shown varying levels of participation, with about 27% of votes in the 2022 U.S. Senate primaries cast before Election Day. Advance voting numbers indicate a substantial portion of absentee ballots requested were for the Republican primary. The vote-counting process in Indiana typically concludes on the night of the election, with results reported shortly after polls close. The AP will continue to monitor any developments, including candidate concessions, and will only declare winners once it is determined there is no scenario for trailing candidates to catch up.
Looking ahead, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are set to take place in the coming months, leading up to the November general election. The AP will provide ongoing coverage of the election cycle, including analysis of key races and developments in Indiana and across the nation. Voters in Indiana have the opportunity to make their voices heard in the upcoming primary elections, shaping the future leadership at the state and federal levels.
