§ 3-8-2-7 — Declaration of candidacy; contents

(a) The declaration of each candidate required by
this chapter must be signed before a person authorized to administer
oaths and contain the following information:
(1) The candidate's name, printed or typewritten as:
(A) the candidate wants the candidate's name to appear on the
ballot; and
(B) the candidate's name is permitted to appear on the ballot
under IC 3-5-7.
A candidate must specify, by a designation described in IC 3-5-7-5, each designation that the candidate wants to use that is
permitted by IC 3-5-7.
(2) A statement that the candidate is a registered voter and the
location of the candidate's precinct and township (or ward, if
applicable, and city or town), county, and state.
(3) The candidate's complete residence address, and if the
candidate's mailing address is different from the residence
address, the mailing address.
(4) A statement of the candidate's party affiliation. For purposes
of this subdivision, a candidate is considered to be affiliated with
a political party only if any of the following applies:
(A) The two (2) most recent primary elections in Indiana in
which the candidate voted were primary elections held by the
party with which the candidate claims affiliation. If the
candidate cast a nonpartisan ballot at an election held at either
of the two (2) most recent primary elections in which the
candidate voted, a certification by the county chairman under
clause (B) is required.
(B) The county chairman of:
(i) the political party with which the candidate claims
affiliation; and
(ii) the county in which the candidate resides;
certifies that the candidate is a member of the political party.
The declaration of candidacy must inform candidates how party
affiliation is determined under this subdivision and permit the
candidate to indicate on the declaration of candidacy which of
clauses (A) or (B) applies to the candidate. If a candidate claims
party affiliation under clause (B), the candidate must attach to the
candidate's declaration of candidacy the written certification of
the county chairman required by clause (B).
(5) A statement that the candidate complies with all requirements
under the laws of Indiana to be a candidate for the above named
office, including any applicable residency requirements, and that
the candidate is not ineligible to be a candidate due to a criminal
conviction that would prohibit the candidate from serving in the
office.
(6) A request that the candidate's name be placed on the official
primary ballot of that party to be voted on, the office for which the
candidate is declaring, and the date of the primary election.
(7) The following statements:
(A) A statement that the candidate has attached either of the
following to the declaration:
(i) A copy of a statement of economic interests, file stamped
by the office required to receive the statement of economic
interests.
(ii) A receipt or photocopy of a receipt showing that a
statement of economic interests has been filed.
This requirement does not apply to a candidate for a federal
office.
(B) A statement that the candidate understands that if the
candidate is elected to the office, the candidate may be required
to obtain and file an individual surety bond before serving in
the office. This requirement does not apply to a candidate for a
federal office or legislative office.
(C) A statement that the candidate understands that if the
candidate is elected to the office, the candidate may be required
to successfully complete training or have attained certification
related to service in an elected office. This requirement does
not apply to a candidate for a federal office, state office, or
legislative office.
(D) A statement that the candidate:
(i) is aware of the provisions of IC 3-9 regarding campaign
finance and the reporting of campaign contributions and
expenditures; and
(ii) agrees to comply with the provisions of IC 3-9.
This requirement does not apply to a candidate for a federal
office.
The candidate must separately initial each of the statements
required by this subdivision.
(8) A statement as to whether the candidate has been a candidate
for state, legislative, or local office in a previous primary,
municipal, special, or general election and whether the candidate
has filed all reports required by IC 3-9-5-10 for all previous
candidacies.
(9) If the candidate is subject to IC 3-9-1-5, a statement that the
candidate has filed a campaign finance statement of organization
for the candidate's principal committee or is aware that the
candidate may be required to file a campaign finance statement of
organization not later than noon seven (7) days after the final date
to file the declaration of candidacy under section 4 of this chapter.
(10) The candidate's signature.
(b) The election division shall provide that the form of a declaration
of candidacy includes the following information:
(1) The dates for filing campaign finance reports under IC 3-9.
(2) The penalties for late filing of campaign finance reports under
IC 3-9.
(c) A declaration of candidacy must include a statement that the
candidate requests the name on the candidate's voter registration record
be the same as the name the candidate uses on the declaration of
candidacy. If there is a difference between the name on the candidate's
declaration of candidacy and the name on the candidate's voter
registration record, the officer with whom the declaration of candidacy
is filed shall forward the information to the voter registration officer of
the appropriate county as required by IC 3-5-7-6(d). The voter
registration officer of the appropriate county shall change the name on
the candidate's voter registration record to be the same as the name on
the candidate's declaration of candidacy.
[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-9-5(a) part.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1993, SEC.60; P.L.3-1995, SEC.52; P.L.3-1997, SEC.122; P.L.202-1999, SEC.3; P.L.167-2001, SEC.1 and P.L.199-2001, SEC.15; P.L.69-2003, SEC.2; P.L.194-2013, SEC.12; P.L.76-2014, SEC.15; P.L.169-2015, SEC.53; P.L.74-2017, SEC.22; P.L.109-2021, SEC.8; P.L.193-2021, SEC.17; P.L.227-2023, SEC.39; P.L.240-2025, SEC.18.