Hamilton County voters who want to cast a ballot by mail in the Nov. 3 general election have until 11:59 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 22, to get their application in.

Indiana law requires the county election office to receive the application by that deadline. A postmark does not count. The application can be submitted online through the state’s voter portal at IndianaVoters.com, or by email, fax, mail or hand delivery to the Hamilton County Election Office. With the deadline hours away, voters are urged to use the online portal or email rather than the mail.

Not every Hoosier can vote by mail. Indiana requires voters to give one of the reasons allowed under state law. Those include being 65 or older, having a disability, expecting to be outside the county on Election Day and during the entire early voting period, working a shift that covers all 12 hours the polls are open, and caring for a confined person at a private residence. The application lists every accepted reason, and voters must select one.

Applications must also include the voter’s Indiana driver’s license or state ID number, or a copy of a valid photo ID. Leaving that information off can delay or stop the application.

Once a ballot arrives, the voter must mark it personally and sign the ballot security envelope. Completed ballots must reach the county election office by 6 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Ballots arriving after that will not be counted. The U.S. Postal Service generally estimates five to seven days for first-class mail delivery, so voters should return their ballots as soon as possible.

Voters who miss today’s deadline or do not qualify to vote by mail still have options. Any registered voter may vote early in person for any reason. Early voting began Oct. 6 at the Hamilton County Judicial Center and the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Satellite early voting sites in Fishers, Carmel and Westfield opened Oct. 21. All Indiana counties must offer early voting on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31. Early in-person voting ends at noon Monday, Nov. 2.

Voters must bring a valid photo ID to vote in person.

On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For locations, hours and other election information, visit the Hamilton County Election Office website or call the office at 317-776-8476.