What we saw at polls and watch parties on Indiana's primary Election Day

IndyStar reporters spent Election Day talking to voters, candidates and poll workers. Here's what we saw and heard throughout the day and as results rolled in. This coverage is free as a public service. If you don't already, please consider subscribing to IndyStar to support local journalism.

11:30 p.m.: About 19% of registered voters in Hamilton County cast ballots, according to early data

Data compiled by the Hamilton County Election Board shows about 19% of registered voters in the county voted Tuesday. Early numbers show 51,896 voters cast ballots in the primary election, with 36,636 of them cast on Election Day.

— Holly Hays

10:05 p.m.: Prelim numbers show fewer than 15% of registered voters in Marion Co. voted

Early numbers compiled by the Marion County Election Board show just 13% of the county's registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's primary election.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, 85,682 ballots had been received, according to the board's website, of the 632,919 registered voters in the county. (Certified election results won't be ready until May 21, according to the board.) More Republican ballots were pulled than Democratic — 46,757 and 38,667, respectively.

— Holly Hays

9:40 p.m.: Here's who's winning Indiana's Congressional primary races

Several of Indiana's nine Congressional districts saw contested races in at least one of the parties. Here's how those are shaping up:

More: Here's who is winning Indiana's primaries for U.S. House

9:20 p.m.: Braun accepts GOP gubernatorial nomination, thanks supporters

"When you run these campaigns, it's about fleshing out what the important issues are. And you have thick skin to get through it. And then you have to be very forgiving and don't hold any grudges if you're going to actually get something done," Braun said. "That's how we take this state to the next level, and I can't wait to do that."

9 p.m.: AP calls 6th Congressional District for Shreve

The Associated Press declared Jefferson Shreve the winner of the Republican primary for Indiana's 6th Congressional District Tuesday night.

Shreve, who ran for mayor of Indianapolis in 2023, led the seven Republican candidates with 28% of the vote followed by state Rep. Mike Speedy and political newcomer Jamison Carrier both with about 22% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

More: Jefferson Shreve wins 6th Congressional District GOP primary

— Brittany Carloni

8:45 p.m.: AP calls 5th Congressional District for Spartz, Carson wins in 7th

In the 5th Congressional District, with about 77% of votes counted, Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz leads with about 39% of the vote with state Rep. Chuck Goodrich at 33% of the vote and Max Engling with 10% of the vote, according to preliminary election results.

In the 7th Congressional District, incumbent André Carson had 91% of the vote with 69% of votes counted, shortly after the race was called by the Associated Press at 8:05 p.m. He will likely go on to win the November election too, due to the Democratic-leaning make up of the county.

More: AP calls GOP primary for 5th Congressional District for Victoria Spartz

More: Rep. André Carson wins 7th District Democratic primary

8:30 p.m.: Doden and Chambers release statements, say they've called to congratulate Braun

Republican gubernatorial candidates Eric Doden and Brad Chambers have both released statements saying they've conceded the race for the party's nomination to Sen. Mike Braun.

"I entered this race because I believe Indiana is a great state, but that with the right leadership, it could be even better," Chambers said. "I hope U.S. Sen. Braun will be the leader Indiana needs and act ambitiously to create more opportunities that will lift up every Hoosier.”

Doden shared a four-part written statement to X (formerly Twitter). "Today I have an even stronger belief in the greatness of the people of Indiana," he wrote.

"Tonight is merely a step along the way in our calling to make Indiana even better," Doden wrote. "God has given us a peace and a renewed energy that this is not the end of a journey, or the beginning of one, but the continuation of one that will bring many good things."

— Holly Hays

Related: In-depth profiles of all of Indiana's Republican candidates for governor

7:35 p.m.: Crouch concedes governor's race: 'It's been an incredible journey'

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch conceded the Republican governor's race to Sen. Mike Braun.

"It's been an incredible journey," she said, thanking supporters. “As a party, we need to unite behind him to ensure that we keep Indiana on the road to victory in November by electing Mike Braun as the next governor of the state of Indiana."

— Alexandria Burris

7:20 p.m.: AP calls Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate for McCray

With about 13% of the vote tallied, Valerie McCray has a 30-percentage-point lead over former state Rep. Marc Carmichael.

The Republican nomination is assured for lone candidate U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.

More: Associated Press calls Democratic race for U.S. Senate for Valerie McCray

7:15 p.m.: AP calls GOP governor's primary for Braun

With nearly 13% of votes counted across Indiana, Sen. Mike Braun has about 39% of the vote, which is 18 percentage points ahead of Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Former commerce Secretary Brad Chambers is close behind Crouch, with nearly 18% of the vote so far.

More: Associated Press calls Indiana governor's race for Sen. Mike Braun

7 p.m.: Indiana polls are officially closed

As the clock strikes 7, all polls have closed across the state. IndyStar will have reporters stationed at candidates' watch parties and providing context as results are posted.

Check back here for election results as they come in.

6 p.m.: Polls close across majority of state

Polls have officially closed across the majority of the state (all eyes on you now, Central Time Zone).

5:30 p.m.: Carmel voters weigh in on gubernatorial primary

Kate Bechtel, 69 of Carmel, said she comes out to vote no matter what the issues are because “it’s my civic duty.” She said she had to do a lot of research to decide to vote for in the Republican gubernatorial primary. “There were a lot of ads and misinformation out there.”

Bechtel decided to vote for Brad Chambers and said she feels great about that. She liked that he built a business — “That takes hard work and shows honesty and integrity, something you don’t get much of in politics these days.”

Jim Brown, 50 of Carmel, said when he’s voting in the primaries, he’s looking for the right people who want what’s best for the community. He voted for Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch for the Republican gubernatorial candidate, feeling her policies aligned the most with his beliefs.

Brown said there was really only one Governor candidate who he was against: Sen. Mike Braun. “Some of his ideas I don’t think are good for the state, they feel more self-centered.”

— Sarah Bowman

5:25 p.m.: Braun to reporters at watch party: 'I feel real good'

— Tony Cook

Severe weather could arrive in Indy area as polls close and could create rush-hour headaches

Severe weather is expected to hit the Indianapolis metro area before polls close Tuesday afternoon. Storms, which include heavy rain and large hail, are expected to hit the western suburbs between 5 and 6 p.m. and are likely to create issues during rush-hour traffic, said Sam Lashley, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

“Everybody should just be on alert and have multiple ways to get warning information,” Lashley said, adding that storms will continue until around 8 or 9 p.m. “If you hear thunder, get indoors, get to a safe spot.”

Indianapolis is under a tornado watch this evening. Cities and towns west of Central Indiana, including Terre Haute and Brazil, were under a tornado warning around 4:45 p.m.

Stay weather aware: Tornado watch issued for parts of Indiana. Hail, damaging winds possible. What to expect

— Kristine Phillips

5:15 p.m.: First-time voter says he 'didn't even consider' Biden's age while casting primary ballot

Liam Hoffman, 18, a recent high school graduate, voted in his first election at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 52nd Street and Central Avenue.

He said he pulled a straight Democratic ticket, specifically to register support for Joe Biden.

“A lot of his views align with mine,” Hoffman said, citing student loan forgiveness. “He’s the best chance to get some things changed.”

Hoffman said Biden’s age was not an issue for him.

“I didn't even consider it,” he said.

Three other voters in the polling place in the Democratic-leaning neighborhood said they pulled Republican ballots even though they are democrats or Independents so they could vote against Mike Braun for governor.

— John Tuohy

5:10 p.m.: 'I figured I would try and choose the least-bad option'

Robert Jackson, 63, stopped by John Boner Community Center to cast a ballot in the Democrat primary. Jackson said he’s a loyal Democrat. He doesn’t have faith or confidence in Donald Trump. “The Democrat party's work(ed) hard to get African Americans and other people of color to where they are now. I don't want to see their work in vain."

Erin Turner, 32, also pulled a Democrat ballot. “Because we’re really red, I feel it’s important to vote blue when you have the opportunity.”

She'd like to see more Democrats on the ballot. “I just feel like we’re going to continue to be red in that realm, just based on the number of candidates there were for that. Democrats don’t really have a choice. It’s just like, well, there was one person. That’s all you get.”

Mike Matta, 33, wants to be heard. He usually votes Democrat, but that doesn’t get him very far in a red state. So this time, he pulled a Republican ballot in the primary.

“Knowing that our governor and senators and all that sort of stuff are probably going to be Republican, I figured I would try and choose the least-bad option," he said. He picked Nikki Haley for president (who dropped out of the race after qualifying for Indiana's ballot) and Brad Chambers for governor.

— Alexandria Burris

4:45 p.m.: Brad Chambers would help boost Indiana’s industries, former Democratic voter says

At the Jewish Community Center on the north side, the polling center was nearly empty by late afternoon, with one or two voters walking in every few minutes. Several voters either didn’t want to talk or didn’t want to share their names and voting decisions publicly, citing broad polarization concerns.

But Andy Helmbock, 42, said he voted for Brad Chambers for governor, saying the Republican candidate’s background in business would boost the state’s industries, including biotechnology, construction and manufacturing. On the campaign trail, Chambers, founder and CEO of Buckingham Companies, described himself as a political outsider and business leader who can grow Indiana’s economy.

“He’s had a thumbprint on a lot of pulse of businesses,” said Helmbock, who said he was a Democrat but now identifies as an Independent. He added that rising costs of living in coastal states would make Indiana, under Chambers’ leadership, an attractive place for businesses.

Chris Seigel, 68, didn’t want to share whom he voted for. He did say he believes Mike Braun will be Indiana’s next governor, although he has little confidence in the Republican frontrunner. Seigel also said he cares deeply about female reproductive rights, and the issue dictated how he voted this election. He described himself as pro-choice.

— Kristine Phillips

4:30 p.m.: Join us for a live discussion of some of the primary's marquee races

IndyStar is going live at 6 p.m. for a panel discussion of some of the election's biggest races so far. Hosted by the Star's government and politics editor Kaitlin Lange, the panel will include Statehouse reporters Brittany Carloni and Kayla Dwyer and opinion editor James Briggs.

Also joining us for the panel are Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, political commentator and publisher of indypolitics.org, and Democratic strategist Lindsay Haake, whose clients include Democratic Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells.

— Holly Hays

4 p.m.: ‘Rain, sleet or shine, I’m ready to go’

There's only a couple people voting at the IPS Service Center on Walnut Street.

Tiera Betts, 36, said she likes candidates from both political parties. She's a veteran, so she said she'll prioritize whoever can benefit veterans the most.

"It just depends on what I feel when I open the door," Betts said, laughing.

Suzanne Crouch stands out to her; Betts said she admires how Crouch handled the pandemic. On the other hand, she likes how U.S. District 7 Rep. André Carson "makes sure veterans get their benefits.”

Regardless, voting is important, she said.

“I know my grandparents got hosed down trying to vote, got chased by dogs trying to vote," Betts said. "So whenever it’s time to vote, rain, sleet or shine, I’m ready to go.”

— Nadia Scharf

4 p.m.: Turnout slow at Lucas Oil Stadium a few hours before polls close

There were more construction workers in the parking lot of Lucas Oil Stadium than voters mid-afternoon. At least one of those workers, 52-year-old Phil Rosenkrans, sauntered over and became a voter – the only voter the polling place saw in half an hour.

Though he finds the premise of being restricted to one party's ballot puzzling and stifling, he nonetheless chose a Republican ballot, as he usually does. On the six-way governor's race, there was just one piece of information he knew: He wanted to pick someone other than U.S. Sen. Mike Braun.

He knew so little about the other candidates, though, that he picked a name at random toward the middle of the list and couldn't recall what the name was.

"Too many people had too many negative things to say about him," he said. "I just knew I didn't like him."

The last Republican governor he liked, actually, was Mitch Daniels. He remembers that the economy was good and the roads got fixed up. Daniels certainly represents a bygone era of Indiana politics where mudslinging was taboo, unlike this election: "He was the dude."

— Kayla Dwyer

3:30 p.m.: 'We need somebody who's not afraid to represent for Indiana'

Community building and hometown pride are important for mother-daughter duo Karyn Lander, 47, and Camille Lander, 20.

The pair voted at Lawrence North High School today. Camille graduated from the school in 2022, and she said she looks for candidates who have the community’s best interests in mind, just like she does.

Her and her mother kept an especially close eye on the race for Senate, as they’re keen to find someone who will stick up for the Hoosier state.

“We need somebody who’s not afraid to represent for Indiana,” Camille Lander said.

As to why they decided to show out for the primary election, Karyn Lander said it’s because they’re voting for the people who “decide who’s going to be on the ballot.”

Even if the turnout is smaller than a general election, Camille Landers said, that raises the stakes that much higher.

“The one that’s seen as less important is the one you got to watch out for,” Camille said.

— Jade Thomas

3:15 p.m.: Voter turnout in HamCo already exceeding that of 2022 primary

According to Hamilton County officials, more than 25,200 voters had cast ballots by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, exceeding the number of Election Day voters in the 2022 primary. An additional 3,955 absentee ballots and 11,248 early ballots had been received. Hamilton County sits in the state's 5th Congressional District, where incumbent Republican Victoria Spartz faces a challenge from State Rep. Chuck Goodrich, R-Noblesville, and others.

More: Here's who is running against Spartz and Goodrich in Indiana's 5th Congressional District

In Marion County, officials reported 46,362 ballots had been cast by Tuesday afternoon.

— Holly Hays

3:05 p.m.: Republican voters say they're looking for candidates that represent their politics

AJ Bucher, 25, said he didn’t think any candidate on the ballot currently represented him very but voted for Curtis Hill in the Republican primary for governor because he seemed like the most right-leaning candidate.

“He feels the least mainstream GOP to me,” Boucher said outside of the Pike Township Fire station 62.

Ryan McCroskey, 47, said he likes current Gov. Eric Holcomb and said there were plenty of candidates to choose from for the Republican primary but eventually chose Brad Chambers.

“I’ve actually met him in person and he just seemed the most real and most sincere to me,” McCroskey said.

— Caroline Beck

3 p.m.: 'You never know, one vote might tip the scale'

In Fishers on Tuesday, voters cast their ballots in an 1800s-era log cabin on the western edge of the city near the White River. Campaign signs for Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, and Max Engling, a 5^th Congressional District Republican candidate, greeted voters at a white picket fence in front of the Historic Ambassador House.

It was a cloudy afternoon, but a steady group of voters quickly moved in and out of the polling location. There were no lines and voters said they had no problems casting their ballots at the Hamilton County polling site. “It was very quick,” one person said.

Most of the voters Tuesday afternoon were interested in the Republican gubernatorial campaign. Maribeth Degyansky said she pulled a Republican ballot and voted for former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. Degyansky said she liked his business experience and that he was “not a career politician.”

“He just seems like a down-to-Earth, honest person who would represent the middle class,” she said.

Russ Cable, who lives just two miles from the Ambassador House, said he was interested in the governor’s primary and the 5^th Congressional District race, where Victoria Spartz is running for reelection against eight other candidates. Cable said he pulled a Republican ballot, but did not share how he voted. The Fishers resident said he has never seen such a crowded primary in the governor’s race before, which especially makes it important to vote this year.

“You never know, one vote might tip the scale,” Cable said.

— Brittany Carloni

2:45 p.m.: 'I think that (Crouch) can make a difference'

It’s quiet inside IUPUI’s University Library. Still, a few voters are trickling in.

Claire Weaver voted a Democratic ballot, and said she chose Valerie McCray for her progressive policies. She chose to vote today because she “wants to live in a democracy,” she said.

Mike Pollard voted for Suzanne Crouch on the Republican ticket. She has the experience, he said.

“I think that she can make a difference,” Pollard said. “Maybe she wants to finish the unfinished business she had when she was lieutenant governor, but at the highest level now.”

Pollard doesn’t align himself with either party. This year, he went Republican because of his conservative values, particularly around government finances, but he says his vote depends on the “conversation” surrounding the candidates.

"What are the needs, who’s talking more about what’s going on, not just personally but collaboratively, some of the subjects we’re dealing with," Pollard said. "Who is talking more about it, and who’s giving answers.”

— Nadia Scharf

2:30 p.m.: Democrats ponder pulling Republican ballots but decide against it

Linda Schussler and her husband Bob, who usually pull Democratic ballots, considered choosing Republican ones today at Lawrence North High School.

Linda said she wanted the opportunity to vote for a candidate for governor who was the most honest. But she didn’t, as she said, “the information that’s gleaned from primaries is necessary for Democratic planning in the future.”

Jim and Jan Fuquay had a similar idea, but decided not to pull a Republican ballot. They were also concerned about the race for governor and were unimpressed that candidates didn’t focus heavily on topics like education.

“They don’t really get in-depth about issues in Indiana,” Jan Fuquay said.

The couple, who tutor third-graders to improve their literacy skills, want a candidate who’s well-educated, honest and cares a lot about education.

— Jade Thomas

2 p.m.: 'It feels like everyone is running for governor'

Tim Jedlicka, 61, said he came out to vote in the primary election for the “insane governor race — it feels like everyone is running for governor.”

He said it was hard to decide whom to vote for because he felt the candidates were too caught up in federal issues. Jedlicka wouldn’t say whom he ultimately voted for in the Republican gubernatorial primary, but said he’d like to hear more talk about school funding.

“I’m from Illinois where a budget surplus is unheard of,” he said at the Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building.

He said he would like to see that money put to use.

The Fishers resident also said he did not vote for U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz or state Rep. Chuck Goodrich for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District in the primary.

“They both can go,” Jedlicka said.

— Sarah Bowman

1:30 p.m.: 'It concerns me seeing money that should go to the public schools going to the vouchers'

Greg Bowes, 64, said he ended up voting for the Pike school referendum question even though he is hesitant to see more state dollars go to charter schools.

He ultimately voted yes because he said at least the dollars weren’t going to private schools and would be staying in public schools.

“At least charter schools have a little bit more oversight than the voucher schools do, which can basically do whatever they want, and it concerns me seeing money that should go to public schools going to the vouchers,” Bowes, a Pike Township resident, told IndyStar where he voted at Snacks Crossing Elementary School.

— Caroline Beck

1 p.m.: 'Indiana is a red state and only getting redder. All I have is my vote'

A steady stream of people went in to vote at the Delaware Township Government Center over the lunch hour and were able to complete the task in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Monica Shimer, 54 of Fishers, voted a Democrat ballot. She said some people may feel like it’s a lost vote, but she still wants her voice to be heard.

“Indiana is a red state and only getting redder. All I have is my vote, I’m not going to give up,” she said.

Shimer said she considered pulling a Republican ballot. She said if there had been a “real” opponent to Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, she would have voted Republican “to be a counterweight and vote for anyone else but him.”

Likewise, Linda Schenk, 75, said she and her husband voted a Democrat ballot.

“That’s probably why we were in and out so fast — not a long ballot,” said Schenk, of Fishers. “We are definitely one of a minority in the area.”

Schenk grew up in Indy but recently moved back to the area after 40 years in Evansville. She said there would be more representation on both sides of the ballot down there and “it’s been an adjustment” being back in the Indy area “where things feel much more one-sided.”

— Sarah Bowman

12:15 p.m.: Gubernatorial primary and 5th congressional district races bring out Fishers voters

At the Delaware Township Community Center, Nate Salsgiver, 36, said he voted to re-elect U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz to represent Indiana’s 5th District. Salsgiver also said the vote for the Republican gubernatorial candidate was a bit more difficult to decide since there were a few he liked based on what he knows. But he declined to say who ultimately got his primary vote.

Jamie Zappala, 31, said she voted for Brad Chambers in the Republican gubernatorial primary. She said he seems likable and the Fishers mayor had endorsed him. She and her family are relatively new to the area, moving to Indiana from Ohio about three years ago.

Zappala said she also wants to set a good example for her children about the importance of voting and respecting everyone’s opinions, even if they’re different.

“We’re a young family, and I want to be able to have those conversations about different topics and issues,” she said.

— Sarah Bowman

Noon: Strong feelings about Braun and Pike Township referendum bring voters out

Some voters told IndyStar they pulled Republican ballots — even if they don't usually — especially because they wanted to vote for or against U.S. Sen. Mike Braun for governor.

Darlene Swilik, 61, lives in Indianapolis in the Pike Township area and said she decided to vote for Braun after talking with her neighbors about the governor's race.

“It was general consensus among my neighbors that they went with him because I don't always keep up like I should,” Swilik told IndyStar when she went to vote at Eagle Creek Elementary.

Matthew Smith, 46, said he typically votes Democrat but voted on the Republican ballot because he wanted to vote against Braun. Smith selected Brad Chambers.

“It was quite fun honestly and made me feel like my vote counted more,” Smith said.

Voters had strong opinions about the Pike school referendum, as well. Swilik said she voted no because she didn’t want her taxes raised. Kathy Koehler, 52, said she voted yes because she always wants to support schools.

“If they say they need more support, then I’m willing to help them,” Koehler said.

Jeanne Mathews, 56, is a former Pike Township teacher and came out to vote at the same school where she used to teach, Eagle Creek Elementary School, and said she voted in favor of the referendum question.

“As a former teacher, I understand how important it is that our schools are well-funded,” Mathews said.

— Caroline Beck

11:15 a.m.: 'Our teachers deserve to be paid more'

Rev. Dr. Richard Curry Jr., senior pastor of True Tried Missionary Baptist Church, said he came out to Jonathan Jennings School 109 because he felt it was his duty to exercise his right to vote.

While he wouldn’t say if he pulled a Democratic or Republican ballot, he did say he was closely watching the presidential and governor races.

He also said while he’s worried about rising tax rates, he did vote in favor of the Pike schools referendum.

“Especially when thinking about our African American children, I think they deserve better schools and our teachers deserve to be paid more,” Curry said.

— Caroline Beck

10:35 a.m.: 'Things need to change'

Roger and Tesha Conrad, 59, see voting as one way to correct the course of government.

“Things need to change,” Tesha said. “Neither of us are happy with where things are going, so we have to step up and do what’s necessary, which is vote.”

Both Tesha and Roger voted for Brad Chambers in the gubernatorial race because they see him as an outsider, not a career politician.

“I think that’s the way the system started,” Roger said. “We need to get back to having more part-time politicians.”

— Bradley Hohulin

10:30 a.m.: 'I want to make sure we have a voice'

Downtown Westfield was fairly sleepy in the late morning, with songbirds and construction equipment supplying most of the soundtrack. Still, every couple of minutes, someone walked up the steps of Westfield City Hall to cast their vote.Rick Yelle, 59, said he's voting because he often isn’t satisfied with how officials act on behalf of people like him.“I don’t always feel that we’re politically represented by people who stand for us,” Yelle said. “So whatever ‘us’ is, I want to make sure we have a voice.”

— Bradley Hohulin

9:45 a.m.: Voters tout candidates 'willing to be in the middle'

Voters filtered into the Crossroads AME Church slowly on a rainy morning, with about two or three entering every five minutes.

Gregory Smith, 72, who voted at Crossroads AME Church, is concerned about the race for governor. He pulled a Democratic ballot but wondered why he’s seen little advertising on that front.

The governor's race was the main reason Megan Plotner, 36, stepped out to vote as well. Plotner, who pulled a Republican ballot, wouldn’t share which candidate she chose but did say it was not Mike Braun.“I want someone willing to be in the middle,” Plotner said.

Greg Swallow, 48, agreed. He wants to return to having debates about topics like Medicare and free market economics, instead of “cultural warfare.” He pulled a Republican ballot because he said there weren’t as many choices on the Democratic side.“I’m 100% voting against Donald Trump,” Swallow said. “I’m 100% against Mike Braun. And it’s 100% because of January 6.”

— Jade Thomas

8:45 a.m.: Couple opts for candidates who bring positivity

Outside of the occasional school board race, Paul Kropp, 64, and his wife Glenna, 62, seldom miss an election of any kind.

“Given the chance to vote, we vote,” Glenna said.

She cast her gubernatorial vote for Brad Chambers, while Paul voted for Eric Doden. Glenna said Chambers struck her as a candidate with new ideas.

“He just seemed more like an outsider, businessman type,” she said. “I think (Mike) Braun will probably win, but I just wanted to cast my vote for someone different at this time.”

Paul, who moved to Carmel with Glenna from Kouts three years ago, gravitated toward Doden’s focus on small towns with his Indiana Main Street Initiative.

Neither Glenna nor Paul voted to re-elect Victoria Spartz for Congress. Paul voted for Goodrich, while Glenna voted for speech pathologist Raju Chinthala.

Paul said Spartz’ decision to exit, then re-enter the race was enough to make him vote against her, although he didn’t feel strongly about any of her competitors. Glenna received several of Chinthala’s campaign flyers and appreciated that he emphasized what he planned to do rather than tear down his opponents.

“I felt like Goodrich and Spartz were just negative all the time, every flyer,” Glenna said.

Both Kropps said they were weary of candidates focusing more on attacking their opponents than promoting their policy.

“And I understand that’s the way you win an election,” Paul said. “You beat everyone else down and you’re the last one left. But I’m tired of it, yeah.”

— Bradley Hohulin

8:30 a.m.: Election Day weather brings the possibility of severe storms

Storms moving across Indiana today have the potential to bring large hail and tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.

The initial, less severe, wave of storms will move through the area between 9 a.m. and noon.

More severe storms are expected to roll through between 3-10 p.m. with the highest risk between 6-10 p.m.

There is a “broader tornado threat across Central Indiana today. This includes a giant hail threat,” a National Weather Service briefing indicates. Storms are expected to continue into Wednesday.

What to expect: Large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes could hit Indiana soon.

— Jen Guadarrama

8 a.m.: 'The primaries can end up mattering more than the actual election'

Carmel Clay Public Library was mostly quiet early Tuesday morning, with a handful of Hamilton County voters trickling in during the first two hours of polling. But Dan Stamer, 33, wasn’t going to miss the primary.

“As a voter in Indiana, the county-wide or state-wide elections tend to be a bit of a home run for one party,” Stamer said. “So the primaries can end up mattering more than the actual election.”

He said he filled out a Republican ballot because his choices will ultimately matter more when electing leaders in historically red Indiana.

Cara Langford, 55, said she has a responsibility to vote, even in primaries.

“I feel it’s a duty,” she said. “People before us have gone to war and died for our freedoms so we can have a voice.”

Langford and her husband John, 55, both cited their faith as motivation for voting for Eric Doden in the gubernatorial race.

“I’m a Christian, and his beliefs align with mine,” John said.

Both of the Langfords voted to re-elect Victoria Spartz for Congress in the 5th District. Cara felt Spartz’ most prominent competitor, Chuck Goodrich, wouldn’t represent her values in Congress.

“My understanding of him is that he wasn’t consistently pro-life,” she said.

— Bradley Hohulin

7:50 a.m.: Chambers heads out to the polls early

Brad Chambers, the former commerce Secretary who's on the Republican gubernatorial primary ballot, voted at Second Presbyterian Church, saying he heard about an “incredible candidate on the ballot” for governor. He said he believes this candidate can honestly fix Indiana’s challenges.

The candidate? Brad Chambers.

Casting a supporting vote at the same place was Mike Fritton, 56, who said he's known Chambers for over 20 years.

“What he has done in his business career will translate well to the political arena,” said Fritton, who lives in Indianapolis.

— Jade Thomas

7:45 a.m.: Appreciating the right to vote brings people out early

Property taxes in Pike Township were at the top of Breaford Alexander’s list of concerns when he voted this morning at Second Presbyterian Church. Alexander, 50, pulled a Democratic ballot and said that he voted this morning because so many people fought for his right to do so.

Likewise, Jaylen Alexander, 21, encouraged others to come out and vote. He pulled a Democratic ballot, saying that he believes people should be able to do what they want and that he’s seen Republicans try to take people’s rights away.

— Jade Thomas

Where can I vote in the 2024 primary election?

Polls are open in Indiana from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In Marion and Johnson counties, you can vote at any polling location in the county, known as vote centers. A list of Marion County vote centers is available at vote.indy.gov/vote-centers. A list of Johnson County vote centers is available here.

In Hamilton County, voters have to cast ballots in their assigned precincts. To find your polling location, visit indianavoters.in.gov.

Live somewhere else? Check this list to see if your county uses vote centers. Or visit your county clerk's website.

You must present a valid photo ID to vote in person. Visit the Secretary of State's website for more information on acceptable forms of ID.

— Kayla Dwyer

Homework to prep for the polls: Everything you need to know about 2024 Indiana primary election

Republican gubernatorial primary is marquee race

This is a gubernatorial primary unlike any other: Six candidates, several of them very well funded, have been duking it out for the nomination, with one candidate starting his campaign exactly three years ago.

Polls have shown U.S. Sen. Mike Braun with a comfortable lead over Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Fort Wayne entrepreneur Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Indianapolis mother Jamie Reitenour. But they've also shown a sizeable contingent of voters undecided ― a large enough portion for the other candidates to hold out hope, especially because one candidate could win with about 20% of the vote.

More: Read our profiles of all the Republican gubernatorial candidates

There's only one Democratic candidate for governor: former state schools superintendent Jennifer McCormick. Most observers consider this primary to be the main competition for governor. It would take a significant amount of resources and unique conditions for the Democratic candidate to defeat the Republican nominee in November, given the deep-red demographics in Indiana, and thus far, McCormick hasn't shown signs of amassing such resources.

— Kayla Dwyer

Open Congressional seats draw major competition

Three Indiana representatives in the U.S. House are giving up their seats this election. One of them, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, is running for Senate. (That's another race to watch, by the way ― Banks is unopposed for the Republican nomination, but there are two Democrats vying to run against him in the general election.)

Two congressional districts that are in central Indiana, the 5th and the 6th Congressional Districts, have a lot of competition and a striking amount of self-funding.

In the 5th district, which includes Hamilton County, many Republicans jumped into the primary because they thought incumbent Rep. Victoria Spartz was not going to run again, as she stated previously. But she changed her mind, and now that race appears to be a head-to-head between Spartz and state Rep. Chuck Goodrich. Goodrich has loaned $4.6 million to his campaign; Spartz, $700,000 as of May 3.

More: Here's who is running against Spartz and Goodrich in Indiana's 5th Congressional District

More: With Greg Pence out, 7 Republicans vie for Indy-based 6th Congressional District

In the 6th district, which includes Johnson and southern Marion counties, seven Republicans are vying to replace retiring Rep. Greg Pence. They include former Indianapolis mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve, state Rep. Mike Speedy and state Sen. Jeff Raatz, former lawmakers like John Jacob and Bill Frazier, and political newcomers Jamison Carrier and Darin Childress. Several of these candidates, particularly Shreve, also loaned hefty sums to their campaigns.

— Kayla Dwyer

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Live updates, results and winners from Indiana's 2024 primary election