This year’s primary election features many names but few contested races on either major political party’s ballot. Of Vanderburgh County’s 123,793 registered voters, County Clerk Dottie Thomas says that as of midday May 1, about 2,300 in-person ballots had been cast and 684 absentee votes had arrived by mail, with four overseas military ballots and 51 votes cast by a travel board (a common voting method for residents unable to leave their homes). Here’s what to know before you head to the polls.
Who’s On the Ballot
The Eighth District congressional race has a contested Democratic primary choosing the general election opponent of Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer of Jasper. Mary Allen, an at-large member of the Evansville City Council, is one of four contenders; the others are Mario Foradori of Vigo County, Christopher Rector of Tell City, and Tabitha Zeigler of Covington. Messmer, who was elected to Congress in 2025, has no Republican primary opponent.
Republican State Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville, who has represented District 49 since 2010, has a GOP primary opponent — Brandi Durham Pugh of the Evansville area. The winner of that contest will face Democrat Cindi Clayton of Evansville (who is unopposed in the primary) in November’s general election.
Four Democrats are running for positions on the Perry Township Board, which includes Evansville’s urban West Side and the area around the University of Southern Indiana. Of candidates James Eickhoff, Charlie Guetling, Keith Mosby Jr., and Savannah Whicker, only three will advance to the general election.
Republicans have a contested primary for seats on the Center Township Board, which covers the city’s North Side from St. Joseph Avenue east to Interstate 69 and around Diamond Avenue north into McCutchanville. The top three GOP candidates among Thomas Gant, Thomas Shetler III, J. Ervin Stafford Stucki, and James Tolen will move on to November.
Beyond that, the only primary contests are to be delegates to the Republican State Convention or to Democratic precinct committeeman roles. Many incumbent officeholders are running unopposed in their primaries, including Democratic Sheriff Noah Robinson; Republican Prosecutor Diana Moers; Republican County Commissioner Justin Elpers, Republican County Assessor Bill Fluty, and Republican County Auditor Theresa Bassemier.
Among County Councilors, Republican James Raben (District 1), Tom Shetler (District 2), Democrat Nick Iaccarino (District 3), and John Montrastelle (District 4) are unopposed in their primaries. Jason Jett, a Democrat, is unopposed in the District 4 primary and is seeking Montrastelle’s seat in November.
Democratic State Rep. Alex Burton and Republican State Reps. Matt Hostettler, Wendy McNamara, and Tim O’Brien are unopposed in their primaries. A Democrat, Sally Busby, is challenging O’Brien in the general election.
Here is a full list of names on Vanderburgh County’s 2026 primary election ballot.
Absentee Mail-In Voting
Apart from those coming from overseas voters, all completed absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 6 p.m. May 5. Visit Indiana’s voter portal to learn more.
Early In-Person Voting Centers
Early voting (also known as “absentee voting in person”) ends May 4. In-person voters must bring a current government-issued photo ID to the voting center.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1-2; 9 a.m.-noon May 4
• EVPL Central, 200 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Noon-5 p.m. May 1
• EVPL McCollough, 5115 Washington Ave.
• EVPL North Park, 960 Koehler Drive
• EVPL Oaklyn, 3001 Oaklyn Drive
• West Side Christian Church, 1200 N. Red Bank Road
8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 2
• Northeast Park Baptist Church, 1215 N. Boeke Road
• Cedar Hall Elementary School, 2100 N. Fulton Ave.
Election Day Voting Centers
All voting centers are open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5:
• Academy for Innovative Studies, 2319 Stringtown Road
• Bethel United Church of Christ, 3029 N. Green River Road
• Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oak Hill Road
• Blue Grass Church, 14200 Petersburgh Road
• Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 5050 N. First Ave.
• Caze Elementary School, 2013 S. Green River Road
• Cedar Hall Elementary School, 2100 N. Fulton Ave.
• Fairlawn United Methodist Church, 2001 Parker Drive
• Glenwood Leadership Academy, 901 Sweetser Ave.
• McCutchanville Fire House, 9219 Petersburg Road
• Memorial Baptist Church, 605 Canal St.
• Methodist Temple, 2109 Lincoln Ave.
• Northeast Park Baptist Church, 1215 N. Boeke Road
• Plaza Park International Prep Academy, 7301 Lincoln Ave.
• Saint James West United Methodist Church, 3111 Hillcrest Terrace
• Saint Lucas United Church of Christ, 33 W. Virginia St.
• Simpson United Methodist Church, 2201 W. Illinois St.
• Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center, 1901 Lynch Road
• Vanderburgh 4-H Center Activities Building, 210 E. Boonville New Harmony Road
• Washington Square Mall, 4801 Washington Ave.
• West Side Christian Church, 1200 N. Red Bank Road
• Zoar United Church of Chris, 4600 Church Road
For more information, contact the Vanderburgh County Election Office by calling 812-435-5122 or emailing [email protected].
