Indiana Secretary of State race intensifies with new party and candidate disputes

The race for Indiana Secretary of State is seeing increased activity involving multiple candidates and new political movements. Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is running under the new Lincoln Party banner, aiming to expand ballot access for independent candidates. If Ballard secures at least 2% of the vote, the Lincoln Party will gain ballot access for the next four years; reaching 10% would allow the party to nominate candidates through primaries.

Republican candidate Max Engling has criticized the Lincoln Party for a lack of transparency and defined ideology. Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Diego Morales has responded to accusations made in a television advertisement by Democratic candidate Beau Bayh. Morales denied claims of corruption, stating that the office’s financial and administrative data have been public and overseen by state authorities since January 2023.

The election features a crowded field including Engling, Bayh, Libertarian Lauri Shillings, and Ballard.