Indiana Primary and Delegate Rules
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Indiana primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.
Quick Answer
- Primary types: Democratic presidential: Partially Open; Democratic state: Partially Open; Republican presidential: Partially Open; Republican state: Partially Open.
- Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
- Democratic delegates: 76 total, 67 pledged, 9 unpledged, 6 alternates.
- Republican delegates: 58 total, 58 pledged, 0 unpledged, 55 alternates.
Indiana Primary Election Types
| Party | Contest | Primary type |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Presidential | Partially Open |
| Democratic | State | Partially Open |
| Republican | Presidential | Partially Open |
| Republican | State | Partially Open |
Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling
Consolidated Primaries: Yes
Indiana is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, pridential presimaries/caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on the same date.
Affiliation with a party is not required to vote in primaries. Indiana is a “partially open” primary state, meaning that voters do not officially declare a party affiliation on their voter registration forms and formal party affiliation is not required to vote in the primaries.
Voting In Primaries
- The only prerequisite to vote in the primary election is to be a registered voter. A voter may vote at a primary election if the voter, at the last general election, voted for a majority of the regular nominees of the political party holding the primary election; or if the voter did not vote at the last general election, but intends to vote at the next general election for a majority of the regular nominees of the political party holding the primary election; as long as the voter was registered as a voter at the last general election or has registered since then. Ind. Code § 3-10-1-6
Indiana Presidential Delegate Allocation
The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party. While this Guide provides much of this information, please seek the advice of a personal attorney to understand your rights and responsibilities
| Party | Total delegate votes | Pledged | Unpledged | Alternates | Allocation method | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 76 | 67 | 9 | 6 | Proportional | 15% minimum vote required |
| Republican Party | 58 | 58 | 0 | 55 | Winner-Take-All |
Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process
Democratic Party's Proportional Delegates Allocation
Indiana has a total of 76 delegates and 6 alternates. 67 of 76 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in Indiana Presidential Primary. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates at either the congressional district or statewide level.
Who Is Eligible To Be A Delegate?
- An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention by filing a statement of candidacy designating their singular presidential preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate with the Indiana Democratic Party, located at 115 W Washington St., Suite 1165 South, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204. Filing will begin on April 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. EST at the Party Headquarters, 115 W Washington St.,# 1110E, Indianapolis, Indiana, and will continue until 12:00 p.m. EST on May 20, 2024.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States
- The State of Indiana and the Indiana Democratic Party do not require filing fees of any kind. A presidential candidate gains access to the Indiana presidential preference primary ballot by completing the following:
- Submit a request for primary ballot placement (CAN-7) and a petition for primary ballot placement (CAN-8) in person or by mail to the Indiana Election Division no later than Noon, EST on February 9, 2024.
- The CAN-7 must be accompanied by a certified (CAN-8) petition of nomination signed by at least 500 registered voters from each of Indiana’s nine (9) congressional districts.
- A candidate must submit a petition of nomination for certification to the county voter registration office of each voter that signed the petition not earlier than Wednesday, January 10, 2024, and not later than noon, local prevailing time,
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 44
- At-large Delegates: 14
- Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 9
- Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 9
- Alternate Delegates: 6
Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown
- DNC Members: 7
- Dem. Members of Congress: 2
- Dem. Governors: 0
- Distinguished Party Leaders: 0
Republican Party Primary Delegates Process
Republican Party Delegates Allocation
All 58 of Indiana's delegates (Winner-Take-All) to the Republican National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders in Indiana Presidential Primary.
Who Is Eligible To Be A Delegate?
- You must be resident of the Election District and a Qualified Primary Republican. An individual who has not previously voted in a Primary Election in Indiana shall have an authorization form signed by the County Chairman and the candidate for state delegate saying the individual pledges full support to the Republican Party and the candidates of the Republican Party.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- Must also collect at least 500 signatures of registered voters in each of Indiana’s nine Congressional district for a minimum amount totaling 4,500 statewide; and
- The petition signatures are first reviewed and certified by county voter registration officials. Certified petitions are then filed with the Indiana Election Division before or at the same time the declaration of candidacy.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 27
- At-large Delegates: 28
- RNC Delegates: 3
- Alternate Delegates: 55
About These Rules
This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.
Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.Sources and Related Election Pages
The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: