Early voting guide: Central Indiana congressional races

Early voting for the May primary election has started, so there's no time like the present to learn what's on your ballot.

Why it matters: Primaries typically see lower turnout than general elections, even though they're often where the more contentious races take place.

State of play: Early voting has begun in Marion County at the City-County Building, with more locations opening on April 25.

• Indiana has an open primary, which means voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot without registering as a member of that party.

Zoom in: We're breaking down what's on your ballot this week — starting with congressional races.

• The secretary of state race tops the ticket this year, but primary voters won't weigh in — parties choose those candidates at conventions.

Why they matter: Party control in these districts is unlikely to flip, so the most meaningful competition is happening now.

• Aside from responsibilities like filing legislation and voting on bills, there's a lot of latitude in what your congressional representative may (or may not) do for you — from constituent services to securing federal funding for local projects.
• Constituent services include things such as helping folks access federal benefits like Social Security and Medicaid, assisting with passport issues and hosting job fairs.

4th District: A crowded primary field is testing the strength of 80-year-old incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird.

• On the Republican side, Baird is seeking the Republican nomination for the fifth time as state Rep. Craig Haggard is mounting a stiff challenge, alongside John Piper.
• The eight Democrats on the ballot are Drew Cox, Roger D. Day, Darin Patrick Griesey, Thomas D. Hall Jr., Joe Mackey, Jayden McCash, Paul McPherson and John Phillip Whetstone.

5th District: While this district was redrawn after the 2020 census to be safer for Republicans, it could be closer than the last few cycles.

• Incumbent U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz is seeking a fourth term after winning reelection in 2024. She's expected to win her primary challenge over Scott A. King.
• State Sen. J.D. Ford, the first openly gay member of the Indiana General Assembly, is leading a pack of seven Democratic candidates: Steven Avit, Jackson Franklin, Phil Goss, Dylan McKenna, Tara Nelson, and Deborah Pickett, whom Spartz beat in the 2024 general election.

6th District: A potential rematch is taking shape after a lopsided result in 2024.

• Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve is seeking a second term, being challenged in the Republican primary by homeschool advocate Sarah Janisse Brown.
• Cinde Wirth, who won the Democratic primary in 2024 but lost by a wide margin in the general election, is trying again. Her primary challengers are William Amyx, Nicholas Baker and David Boyd.

7th District: Nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. André Carson faces his toughest primary test in nearly two decades, as a wave of challengers looks to shake up long-held seats.

• Destiny Wells, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2024 and secretary of state in 2022, George Hornedo and Denise Paul Hatch are challenging Carson in the primary.
• While the seat is considered safe for Democrats, two Republicans — Patrick McAuley and Felipe Rios — are vying for a spot on the November ballot.

If you go: Early voting hours are 8am–5pm on weekdays through April 24. They'll extend to 6pm from April 27–May 1.

• Weekend hours at 11am–6pm.
• The final day to vote early is Monday, May 4. Voting that day is open from 8am–noon.
• Election Day is May 5.