INDIANA – Secretary of State Diego Morales announced that candidate filing for the 2026 Primary Election begins this week.
Wednesday, January 7th, is the first day of candidate filing for the Indiana 2026 Primary Election in May.
Candidates wishing to be on the Democratic or Republican primary ballot can begin filing declaration of candidacy paperwork on Wednesday, January 7th. Minor Party, Independent, and Write-In candidates will file declarations of candidacy for the November General Election later in the year, after the May Primary Election is held.
“Candidate filing marks an important step in Indiana’s election process. My office is committed to ensuring candidates have the information and resources they need to file correctly and on time, while continuing to uphold the integrity of our elections,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.
Candidates can begin filing for candidacy in the 2026 Primary Election on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, through Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, until noon.
The 2026 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with the same hours.
Voter registration is open now, and key deadlines for mail-in absentee applications, early voting, and candidate filing have been set.
Early in-person voting will be available starting April 7, 2026, for the primary and Oct. 6, 2026, for the general.
For more information on how to register, where to vote, or how to file as a candidate, residents can contact the Lawrence County Voter Registration at 812-277-2036 or visit the Indiana Secretary of State’s election website at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/.
Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, state legislative, and judicial offices, including county prosecuting attorneys, file a declaration of candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State or the Indiana Election Division. The Secretary of State’s Office and the Indiana Election Division will be accepting filings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays starting January 7th through February 6th at noon.
Candidates for non-judicial county offices, township offices, town offices, school board offices, precinct committeeman or state convention delegate, file their declaration of candidacy at the office of the County Clerk in which they reside.
The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy is Friday, February 6, at noon. Under Indiana law, election officials are prohibited from accepting filings after the deadline.
