Live 2024 Primary Election Coverage

Braun wins GOP governor’s primary

The Associated Press has called the GOP gubernatorial primary for U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, though only 13% of the votes have been counted.

He leads with 38% of the vote; next up is Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch with 21%; Bran Chambers with 18%; Eric Doden with 15%. Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour also have received about 4%.

Crouch supporters had scarcely begun to arrive to her campaign’s watch party — doors at the former machine shop turned event space opened at 6:30 p.m. — when, 30 minutes later, the Associated Press called the race in Braun’s favor. Crouch spokesman Robert Vane said the campaign would wait for more votes, particularly from southern Indiana, to be counted.

Braun will face Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater in November.

The AP has also called the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate for Valerie McCray, who will face Third District Congressman Jim Banks in the fall. He was unopposed.

Braun to weigh in on Lt. Gov. running mate

Nearly six years to the day since Mike Braun won the Republican nomination for his U.S. Senate seat, Braun hopes to repeat the feat in the 2024 Election Day contest to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb. 

“I remember back to six years ago (Wednesday), the euphoria of winning the primary,” Braun said, recalling the bitterly expensive general election race that followed. “Money, sadly, has become too big a deal … and in a full field like this, with four well-financed campaigns, it’s going to probably be a record for any primary.”

Six contenders, including Braun, have poured their resources into the race, including former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and faith-motivated Jamie Reitenour. 

Chambers, Crouch and Doden have spent millions in the final weeks — with Chambers and Doden both contributing heavily to their campaign. Braun, also a wealthy businessman, has amassed a war chest during his six-year term in Congress making this race the most expensive in recent history. 

To a small media gaggle gathered at his campaign watch party at Moontown Brewing Company in Whitestown, Braun said he would submit a recommendation for his future running mate. In Indiana, the lieutenant governor position is filled in a private convention. 

“We’re going to have, I think, a recommendation for lieutenant governor. You’re probably going to be hearing that soon, provided we get over the finish line,” Braun said. 

Braun said he “loved” the competition presented by Noblesville pastor Micah Bechwith, who has launched an unusually public bid to become the state’s next lieutenant governor. 

“I think that it’s best for your customers and business if you compete and I think it’s the same thing in politics,” Braun said.

Braun also said he would also keep Janet Holcomb’s backyard chicken coop at the Indianapolis Governor’s Residence if elected.

Voters make day-of decisions in Johnson County

At the Johnson County Fairgrounds, where two voting centers are stationed, voter traffic was low mid-afternoon.

Poll workers said about 230 ballots had been cast at the site around 2:30 p.m. That’s lower than usual compared to general elections, they said, but on par for a primary.

Bob Wright, who lives in Franklin, carried a sticky note with his preferred Republican candidates. Among his selections were Suzanne Crouch in the gubernatorial race and Jefferson Shreve for Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.

He said he skipped over U.S. Rep Jim Banks in the U.S. Senate race, however, opting to leave that ballot section blank. Banks is unopposed in the Republican primary after Seymour egg farmer John Rust was removed due to Indiana’s two-primary rule.

“I don’t think it was right that (Rust) was left off,” Wright said. “I’ll probably vote for Jim in November, but I didn’t today.”

Wright’s daughter, Anna Shaw, of Greenwood, voted earlier in the day at a different polling site. She debated pulling a Republican ballot but said she ultimately decided against doing so Tuesday morning.

“I wish I could’ve had more say in the (the governor’s race), because we kind of assume that whichever Republican wins (the nomination) is going to win later this year,” Shaw said. “It didn’t feel right not voting with my party, though.”

Paul Bishop, another day-of-decider, said he chose to vote for U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, largely considered the GOP frontrunner in the governor’s race. 

“I thought about it up until a few hours ago. I didn’t really like any of them that much, to be honest,” Bishop said about the slate of Republican candidates. “Go with what you know, I guess.” 

Voter choices run the gamut at quiet City-County Building

Voters were sparse and lines were short at the Indianapolis City-County Building mid-afternoon, with downtown office workers dodging campaigners on the concrete outside the entrance as storm clouds gathered overhead.

Their choices ran the gamut.

John Cocco, a social worker, said he pulled a Democrat ballot, like he’s done since he started voting — minus a vote for John McCain at 18.

Although moderate group ReCenter Indiana and others have encouraged Democrats and centrists to pull GOP ballots for greater say in heavily red Indiana, Cocco didn’t spring for the idea.

“I considered drawing a Republican ballot, to throw my voice into it, but … I felt it was kind of disingenuous,” he said. “But, I can certainly see people (doing so) because it’s nice to have a voice, right. As a Democrat, whose (candidate is) likely not going to win the election, to have at least some sway in who ends up being a future governor, senator or whatever.”

Megan, who works in pre-kindergarten and declined to give her last name, made the switch to vote in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

“I’m moderate. I’ve been Democrat for several decades now. This time I was Republican,” she said. She ruled out 2020 election results deniers and prioritized education and the economy in her decision.

“Chambers was the only one” that doesn’t support former President Donald Trump, she said, which sealed the deal for her.

It was also a vote against U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, she said, because of his positions on the LGBTQ community and his verbal misstep on interracial marriage following a U.S. Supreme Court decision putting the abortion question to states.

Jasmine Lykins, who works in the legal industry in downtown, said she typically votes Republican and chose Braun in the GOP gubernatorial primary — “with the hopes that he actually does what he says he’s going to stand for.”

Lykins liked his tough-on-crime rhetoric, saying, “I work down here. I think I’ve experienced more of the violence … I really want change because I don’t always feel the safest.”

Be weather aware; tornado watch issued

WISH-TV is warning Hoosiers that a tornado watch has been issued until 9 p.m. for much of the state. Polls are open until 6 p.m. so voters should be cautious to take shelter should weather arise in the next several hours.

Where the (election) party at?

Indiana’s six gubernatorial candidates will be scattered around the state on Tuesday, with four holding parties in central Indiana and others in the northern regions.

Frontrunner and U.S. Sen. Mike Braun will be at Moontown Brewing Company, located at 345 S. Bowers Street in Whitestown.

Just two candidates will be spending their Election Night in downtown Indianapolis: former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Chambers will be at his campaign headquarters at 935 N. Meridian Street while Crouch will be at the Industry venue at 545 Kentucky Avenue.

The last public event will be held at Union Street Market at Electric Works in Fort Wayne on behalf of Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden.

Each of the above have different start times and RSVPs to attend.

The final two candidates will be spending Election Night in a more private setting. Former Attorney General Curtis Hill will be with friends and family in South Bend while Jamie Reitenour will be with supporters in Carmel. Reitenour’s campaign said the team would be hosting a live event online during Election Night.

Presumptive Democratic nominee, Jennifer McCormick, is running unopposed. The former Superintendent of Public Education, an office she held as a Republican, will be floating around at several Democrat watch parties Tuesday evening.

The final gubernatorial candidate, Donald Rainwater, was nominated in a private convention for the Libertarian Party nod and is already set to appear on the November ballot.

As for U.S. Senate candidates, sitting U.S. Rep. Jim Banks will be in Allen County — the heart of his seat in Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District — celebrating at the Allen County GOP headquarters on 135 W. Main Street in Fort Wayne. Banks is running unchallenged for the Republican nomination.

On the Democrat side, Marc Carmichael — a former state lawmaker and longtime lobbyist — will host a private event at his home. Dr. Valerie McCray, a clinical psychologist, will be at Georgia Street Rhythm & Blues at 28 W. Georgia Street in Indianapolis.

Voters in Boone County do their duty but not happy with choices

A line of about 50 people greeted voters at the Zionsville Town Hall around lunchtime.

But poll workers were welcoming and many — poll workers and voters alike — chatted with neighbors or old friends as they waited their turn to cast their ballots.

That doesn’t mean everyone was happy though.

Boone County resident Tracy Barta is a longtime Republican voter who chose the word “frustrated” to describe her voting experience.

“The divisiveness. The nastiness. I’ve lost a lot of faith in career politicians. In my party to provide good candidates,” she said.

Barta said once candidates get in office they “roll over” and don’t fight for what they said they would. She wants term limits and a national convention of the states.

Across the aisle, Democrat voter John Davis used the word “underwhelming.”

“I have so few choices it’s almost not worth coming out,” he said. “But I want to support Democrats who are willing to put themselves forward as candidates.”

Poll workers said the flow of voters had been steady with no reported problems.

Hoosiers reminisce about voting experiences

Last week I asked our readers to tell me their most memorable voting stories — good, bad or otherwise. Some are full of optimism and humor. Others, though, point to the reason so many eschew voting.

Jennifer B. said her mom was a precinct committee person and worked the polls every year: “We rarely went out to eat, but every year on election night, my dad treated my sister and I to dinner at McDonald’s. After major elections, we were always allowed to stay up late and watch the results. I always had the impression voting was really important and once I was able to vote, I rarely missed a primary and never a general.”

Charles D. said he was hastily put in charge of running a precinct one morning when nobody showed up to run it. It was in a nursing home.

“About 9:00 a.m. a gentleman showed up in a wheelchair to vote. The legislature had just passed law requiring state issued ID and he didn’t have one. The gentleman was outraged, stating, “I am the former mayor of Kokomo and have never missed an election in over 60 years.” I asked were you a Republican? Yes, he said proudly. Well, call your party they are the ones who passed the law. I smiled and he wheeled off in a huff.”

Joe C. said his first presidential vote was absentee as he was at college.

“Young and full of hope. Now lobbyists and corporations control our political system. I still vote to convince myself I can make an impact. Divisive world in which we live.”

Lydia L. said she doesn’t remember much about her own first voting experience but she recalls every moment of taking her son to vote for the first time.

“It was in 2016 and he had turned 18 a few months before. I had toted him around to the polls when he was a toddler, helping me to push the buttons. He was pretty laid back about the whole thing on Election Day. Except when he came out of the curtain and was beaming. He even asked for one of those “I voted” stickers and wore it the whole day. I was never more proud.”

And finally, Mary P., who votes early to beat the crowd. At 71, she was shown the new machines in Jasper County, and it was explained that after she voted, she would see the paper printout to confirm her vote. She noticed at the very top there was a series of numbers identifying her.

“I asked the worker about this afterwards and he said that is in case I would die before election day; my votes would be deleted. Hmmmm. So, then I commented that my vote is really not anonymous. He answered that there is only a tracking number for early votes, and those cast on election day will have no number.

“This is kind of ludicrous in a county of slightly less than 33,000 people. In the primary of 2020, 5,783 people voted. The real question is who will be checking to see if those who have voted have passed on. The world has gone crazy, no wonder people want to get off.”

Counties chart course to vote center system

Where can you vote?

A whopping 63 of the state’s 92 counties have transitioned to vote center systems from the traditional precinct-based model, according to the Indiana Secretary of State’s (SOS) office.

Most voters live in such counties, and can cast ballots at any vote center within county lines instead of only at specific polling locations in their neighborhoods.

Vote centers have been legal statewide for less than 15 years; lawmakers approved the new system as an option for counties in 2011 after authorizing a three-county pilot in 2006. Plenty have taken them up on the offer.

“Vote centers add convenience for voters, save counties money and can increase voter turnout,” reads SOS’ website. The office didn’t respond to a request for comment on the benefits and drawbacks of the approach.

A 2010 Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute study, sponsored by SOS under former Secretary Todd Rokita, found that the vote center system could cut costs in the short and long term by reducing the number of election workers and machines required.

It found the counties of moderate size or with growing populations, along with counties boasting high numbers of registered voters per precinct, could benefit most.

“While it is possible that counties will save money using vote centers, the purpose of the vote centers concept is to increase voter convenience and accessibility,” the SOS’ website notes.

Sixty counties used vote centers during the state’s last primary election in 2023; about 11% of registered voters cast a ballot. That’s not including 11 counties for which SOS had logged no turnout information; the office didn’t return an inquiry about the missing data.

But it’s lower than turnout for the 32 counties with precinct-based voting: about 12%. That similarly doesn’t include 14 counties with no information logged.

First-time voters and Democrats voting Republican in Broad Ripple

A steady, if thin, stream of voters cast their Election Day ballots at the Broad Ripple Park Family Center Tuesday morning.

Voting was a family affair for the Pallikans, including first-time voter Gabriela Pallikan and her mother, Ana.

“I try to make it to all elections,” Ana Pallikan said.

Gabriela Pallikan said she didn’t learn about elections until yesterday and didn’t have the opportunity to do as much research as she’d like — something she’d remedy the next time she voted.

“But I know my mom does a lot of research and I agree with a lot of what she says,” Gabriela Pallikan said.

Election Day preparation for Democrat Alan McKibben included plenty of reading and listening to the gubernatorial debates before he drew the Republican ballot.

“I’m a Democrat. I usually always vote Democratic.  For the primary, I voted on the Republican side,” McKibben said. “I voted for the least … for the least obnoxious and least MAGA.”

McKibben said he voted on the GOP side because of the lack of competition on the Democrat side and concerns about some of the Republican candidates running for governor.

“I hated all of the ads from the Republicans for governor … I just wanted to make my opinion known,” McKibben said. “I’d say I’m a Gov. (Eric) Holcomb supporter. He’s stayed out of national politics and national issues.”

McKibben ultimately cast his ballot for Brad Chambers, the former Secretary of Commerce, because he was the “least controversial.”

Afternoon rain, storms could hurt already low turnout

Will Hoosiers show out for Election Day?

That might depend on the weather. Many voters headed to the polls on Tuesday are likely to face rain and storms on their way to cast their ballot.

The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts dry conditions around the state in the early hours, but later into the morning and early afternoon, rain and scattered thunderstorms are likely.

Forecasters said to expect weaker storms if the day’s rainfall arrives closer to 10 a.m. But if rain hits later in the day, severe chances increase.

If primary voting data from years past is any indication, weather isn’t the only factor.

Indiana ranks near the bottom of the country when it comes to voter turnout, according to the latest Indiana Civic Health Index. Out of all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the Hoosier state ranked 50th out of 51 for voter turnout in 2022, and 40th when it comes to registration.

In the 2022 primary, only 14% — or 664,651 — of Indiana’s roughly 4.7 million registered voters turned out to vote, according to the Indiana Secretary of State. Of those, 486,339 Hoosiers cast ballots on Election Day, while 178,312 (27%) voted absentee.

Among the counties with the lowest voter turnout that year were Perry (6%), St. Joseph (7%), Elkhart (8%), Ohio (8%), Spencer (8%) and Tippecanoe (8%).

Top turnout belonged to Parke and Benton counties at 33%.

Looking back to 2020, the last presidential year, 1,084,558 Hoosiers — 24% of the roughly 4.58 million registered — voted in the primary. In an election delayed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 51% of those who voted did so via an absentee ballot, increasing overall participation.

Still, state officials announced last week that the state has seen an increase in voter registration leading up to Tuesday’s primary election.

The office reported an increase in voter registrations in the last month before April’s deadline when compared to data from the past five years. Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales pointed to a statewide voter outreach campaign as a driving force behind registration increase.

The latest voter registration and absentee ballot numbers have yet to be released by the Secretary of State, but the office indicated that 4,674,413 Hoosiers were registered to vote as of Jan. 2. That’s equal to about 69% of the state’s population.