Vote History Requirement
For the May 2026 Primary Election, candidates must meet a party affiliation requirement based on their voting history. Specifically:
A candidate must have voted in the last two Indiana primary elections they voted in for the same political party for which they are seeking nomination.
If a candidate does not meet this vote history requirement, they must obtain a certification from the county party chairman of the party. This certification must be attached to their CAN-2 form
Failure to meet the vote history requirement or include the required certification may result in the candidate being subject to challenge.
Key Dates for Candidates
Important Forms for Candidates
Anytime: Form campaign commitee and start raising funds, file CFA-1
Jan. 7 - Feb 6 (noon): File declaration fo candidacy, file CAN2 and CAN12
Jan 21 (noon): File annual campaign finance reorts for 2025 for all candidate committees
Mar 21: Board of Elections starts mailing out absentee ballots for primary election
Apr 7: First day of in person early votng for primary election
Apr 17 (noon) : File pre-primary campaign finance reports for primary candidate
May 5: Primary Election Day
May 8 - July 3: County party to fill a ballot vacancy where no candidate filed to run for an office at the primary election
Sept 19: Board of Elections starts mailing out absentee ballots for general election
Oct 6: First day of in person early votng for general election
Oct 16 (noon): File pre-election campaign finance reports
Nov 3: General Election Day
CFA-1: Candidate’s Statement of Organization and Designation of Principal Committee or Exploratory Committee
CFA-4: Report of Receipts and Expenditures of a Political Committee
CAN-2 Declaration of Candidacy for Primary Election in 2026
CAN-12 State of Economic Interests for Local and School Board Offices
CAN-37 Declaration of Candidacy for Precinct Committeeman or State Convention Delegate 2026