Early voting numbers nearly double 2022 midterm count in Marion County so far

This year's midterms could shape into an historic election if local early voting numbers are any indication – an unprecedented number of Hoosiers have cast their ballots.

"Early voting turnout in Marion County is more than double than at the same time in the 2022 midterm election. More than 25,000 voters have cast a ballot in-person and we're still more than a week away from Election Day," Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell said in a statement to IndyStar.

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"I expect the turnout trend to continue," she said. "Clearly the voters have something to say, and they're using their vote as their voice."

How many people have voted early in Marion County?

By Sunday, Oct. 25, there were 23,545 people who had shown up to vote early, according to Marion County election data . By 3 p.m. Monday, a spokesperson for the election office said that figure had swollen to 29,100 in-person early votes.

While voter turnout is typically lower in a non-presidential election year, that's not the case in 2026 so far.

For comparison, Marion County's in-person early voting stood at 18,181 ballots around this same time in 2024. Eight days before the previous midterms in 2022, only 16,259 early voters had gone to the polls in Marion County.

Here's a quick look at how many Hoosiers have shown up to cast ballots in Hamilton and Marion counties.

Early vote totals so far for Marion County in 2026

• Early in-person votes in 2024: 133,727

• Early in-person votes in 2026: 29,100as of 3 p.m. Oct. 26.

• By Mail in 2024: 27,381

• By Mail in 2026: 7,509as of Oct. 25.

Early vote totals so far for Hamilton County in 2026

• Early in-person in 2024: 98,092

• Early in-person in 2026: 35,140as of Oct. 25.

• By mail in 2024: 20,196

• By mail in 2020: 6,657as of Oct. 25.

When does early in-person voting end in Marion County?

Early voting began on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and will conclude at noon on Monday, Nov. 2.

When is the 2026 Indiana general election?

The 2026 Indiana general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at John.Tufts@IndyStar.com . Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Early voting numbers nearly double 2022 midterm count in Marion County so far