Ind. Code ch. 3-8-1

Ind. Code ch. 3-8-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-1 Candidates must be registered voters

Sec. 1. (a) This section does not apply to a candidate for any of the following offices: (1) Judge of a city court. (2) Judge of a town court. (b) A person is not qualified to run for: (1) a state office; (2) a legislative office; (3) a local office; or (4) a school board office; unless the person is registered to vote in the election district the person seeks to represent not later than the deadline for filing the declaration or petition of candidacy or certificate of nomination. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-9-5(h) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.80; P.L.4-1991, SEC.31; P.L.12-1992, SEC.2; P.L.3-1997, SEC.110; P.L.254-1999, SEC.1; P.L.194-2013, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-1.1 Error by election division or circuit court clerk does not invalidate filing

Sec. 1.1. Subject to IC 3-5-4-1.2, if a candidate filing error is made by the election division or a circuit court clerk, the error does not invalidate the filing. As added by P.L.194-2013, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-1.5 Judge in certain cities; town court judges

Sec. 1.5. (a) This section applies to a candidate for any of the following offices: (1) Judge of a city court in a city located in a county having a population of more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) and less than three hundred thousand (300,000). (2) Judge of a town court. (b) A person is not qualified to run for an office subject to this section unless not later than the deadline for filing the declaration or petition of candidacy or certificate of nomination the person is registered to vote in a county in which the municipality is located. (c) Except as provided in IC 33-35-5-7.5, before a candidate for the office of judge of a city court described in subsection (a)(1) or a town court may file a: (1) declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination; (2) certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8; or (3) declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or certificate of nomination under IC 3-8-2-2.5 or IC 3-10-6-12; the candidate must be an attorney in good standing admitted to the practice of law in Indiana. As added by P.L.10-1988, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.12-1992, SEC.3; P.L.3-1997, SEC.111; P.L.254-1999, SEC.2; P.L.119-2012, SEC.4; P.L.173-2015, SEC.1; P.L.104-2022, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-1.6 Duty of division or board to determine candidate's compliance with campaign finance requirement

Sec. 1.6. (a) This section does not apply to a candidate unless the candidate is required to file a campaign finance statement of organization under IC 3-9-1-5 or IC 3-9-1-5.5. (b) Not later than noon fourteen (14) days after the final day for filing a declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, petition of nomination, certificate of nomination, or certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8, the election division or county election board shall determine if a candidate has complied with IC 3-9-1-5 or IC 3-9-1-5.5 (if applicable) by filing any campaign finance statement of organization required for the candidate's committee. As added by P.L.3-1995, SEC.46. Amended by P.L.2-1996, SEC.83; P.L.3-1997, SEC.112; P.L.26-2000, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-1.7 "Before the election"

Sec. 1.7. As used in this chapter, "before the election" refers to a general, municipal, or special election. As added by P.L.3-1993, SEC.53.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-2 Questioned candidacy filing; jurisdiction to act; sworn statement; determination of eligibility or validity; denial of filing

Sec. 2. (a) This section does not apply to a candidate challenged under IC 3-8-8. (b) The commission, a county election board, or a town election board shall act if a candidate (or a person acting on behalf of a candidate in accordance with state law) has filed any of the following: (1) A declaration of candidacy under IC 3-8-2 or IC 3-8-5. (2) A request for ballot placement in a presidential primary under IC 3-8-3. (3) A petition of nomination or candidate's consent to nomination under IC 3-8-2.5 or IC 3-8-6. (4) A certificate of nomination under IC 3-8-5, IC 3-8-7, IC 3-10-2-15, or IC 3-10-6-12. (5) A certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1 or IC 3-13-2. (6) A declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under IC 3-8-2-2.5. (7) A contest to the denial of certification under IC 3-8-2.5 or IC 3-8-6-12. (c) The commission has jurisdiction to act under this section with regard to any filing described in subsection (b) that was made with the election division. Except for a filing under the jurisdiction of a town election board, a county election board has jurisdiction to act under this section with regard to any filing described in subsection (b) that was made with the county election board, county voter registration office, or the circuit court clerk. A town election board has jurisdiction to act under this section with regard to any filing that was made with the county election board, the county voter registration office, or the circuit court clerk for nomination or election to a town office. (d) Except as provided in subsection (f), before the commission or election board acts under this section, a registered voter of the election district that a candidate seeks to represent or a county chairman of a major political party of a county in which any part of the election district is located must file a sworn statement before a person authorized to administer oaths, with the election division or election board: (1) questioning the eligibility of the candidate to seek the office; and (2) setting forth the facts known to the voter or county chairman of a major political party of a county concerning this question. (e) The eligibility of a write-in candidate or a candidate nominated by a convention, petition, or primary may not be challenged under this section if the commission or board determines that all of the following occurred: (1) The eligibility of the candidate was challenged under this section before the candidate was nominated. (2) The commission or board conducted a hearing on the affidavit before the nomination. (3) This challenge would be based on substantially the same grounds as the previous challenge to the candidate. (f) Before the commission or election board can consider a contest to the denial of a certification under IC 3-8-2.5 or IC 3-8-6-12, a candidate (or a person acting on behalf of a candidate in accordance with state law) must file a sworn statement with the election division or election board: (1) stating specifically the basis for the contest; and (2) setting forth the facts known to the candidate supporting the basis for the contest. (g) Upon the filing of a sworn statement under subsection (d) or (f), the commission or election board shall determine the validity of the questioned: (1) declaration of candidacy; (2) declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate; (3) request for ballot placement under IC 3-8-3; (4) petition of nomination; (5) certificate of nomination; (6) certificate of candidate selection issued under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8; or (7) denial of a certification under IC 3-8-2.5 or IC 3-8-6-12. (h) The commission or election board shall deny a filing if the commission or election board determines that the candidate has not complied with the applicable requirements for the candidate set forth in the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Indiana, or this title. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-9-5(h) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.81; P.L.12-1995, SEC.59; P.L.3-1995, SEC.47; P.L.2-1996, SEC.84; P.L.3-1997, SEC.113; P.L.38-1999, SEC.21; P.L.176-1999, SEC.25; P.L.66-2003, SEC.11; P.L.97-2004, SEC.3; P.L.194-2013, SEC.11; P.L.169-2015, SEC.51; P.L.74-2017, SEC.19; P.L.278-2019, SEC.18.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-3 Limitation on number of lucrative offices

Sec. 3. A person may not hold more than one (1) lucrative office at a time, as provided in Article 2, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 2, § 9 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-4 Collectors and holders of public money

Sec. 4. A person may not hold an office of trust or profit unless the person has accounted for and paid over as required by law all sums of public money for which the person was liable as a collector or holder, as provided in Article 2, Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 2, § 10.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.6-1991, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-5 Disqualification of candidates

Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to a candidate for federal office. (b) As used in this section, "felony" means a conviction for which the convicted person might have been imprisoned for more than one (1) year. (c) A person is not disqualified under this section for: (1) a felony conviction for which the person has been pardoned; (2) a felony conviction that has been: (A) reversed; (B) vacated; (C) set aside; (D) not entered because the trial court did not accept the person's guilty plea; or (E) expunged under IC 35-38-9; or (3) a person's plea of guilty or nolo contendere at a guilty plea hearing that is not accepted and entered by a trial court. (d) A person is disqualified from assuming or being a candidate for an elected office if: (1) the person gave or offered a bribe, threat, or reward to procure the person's election, as provided in Article 2, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana; (2) the person does not comply with IC 5-8-3 because of a conviction for a violation of the federal laws listed in that statute; (3) in a: (A) jury trial, a jury publicly announces a verdict against the person for a felony; (B) bench trial, the court publicly announces a verdict against the person for a felony; or (C) guilty plea hearing, the person pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony; (4) the person has been removed from the office the candidate seeks under Article 7, Section 11 or Article 7, Section 13 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana; (5) the person is a member of the United States armed forces on active duty and prohibited by the United States Department of Defense from being a candidate; (6) the person is subject to: (A) 5 U.S.C. 1502 (the Little Hatch Act); or (B) 5 U.S.C. 7321-7326 (the Hatch Act); and would violate either federal statute by becoming or remaining the candidate of a political party for nomination or election to an elected office or a political party office; (7) the person is a nonjudicial court employee who would violate Rule 4.6 of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct by being the candidate of a political party for nomination or election to an elected office or a political party office; or (8) the person is a full-time employee of the department of homeland security prohibited from participating in political activities under IC 10-14-3-26. (e) The subsequent reduction of a felony to a Class A misdemeanor under IC 35 after the: (1) jury has announced its verdict against the person for a felony; (2) court has announced its verdict against the person for a felony; or (3) person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a felony; does not affect the operation of subsection (d). [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 2, § 6.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.82; P.L.4-1991, SEC.32; P.L.3-1993, SEC.54; P.L.3-1997, SEC.114; P.L.176-1999, SEC.26; P.L.113-2005, SEC.1; P.L.37-2008, SEC.1; P.L.181-2014, SEC.1; P.L.74-2017, SEC.20; P.L.142-2020, SEC.3; P.L.193-2021, SEC.16; P.L.240-2025, SEC.16.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-5.5 Candidates defeated in primary or nomination process; ineligibility

Sec. 5.5. (a) Except as provided in IC 3-13-1-19 and IC 3-13-2-10 for filling a vacancy on a ticket, a person who: (1) is defeated in a primary election; (2) appears as a candidate for nomination at a convention and is defeated; (3) files a declaration of candidacy for nomination by a county, city, or town convention and is defeated; or (4) files a declaration of candidacy for nomination by a caucus conducted under IC 3-13-1 or IC 3-13-2 and is defeated; is not eligible to become a candidate for the same office in the next general or municipal election. (b) For the purposes of subsection (a): (1) a candidate for an at-large seat on a fiscal body is considered a candidate for the same office as a candidate for a district seat on a fiscal body; and (2) a candidate for United States representative from a district in Indiana is considered a candidate for the same office as a candidate for any other congressional district in Indiana. (c) This section does not apply to a candidate who files a written request for placement on the presidential primary ballot under IC 3-8-3. As added by P.L.10-1988, SEC.30. Amended by P.L.3-1997, SEC.115; P.L.38-1999, SEC.22; P.L.176-1999, SEC.27.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-5.7 Requirements of candidates for appointment pro tempore

Sec. 5.7. (a) Except as expressly provided by law, a candidate for selection under IC 3-13-5, IC 3-13-6, IC 3-13-7, IC 3-13-8, IC 3-13-9, IC 3-13-10, or IC 3-13-11 for an appointment pro tempore to an office must: (1) comply with the requirements imposed under this chapter on a candidate for election to the office; and (2) if the individual is a candidate for selection by a caucus, be affiliated with the political party holding the caucus in the manner required under IC 3-8-2-7(a)(4) and IC 3-8-5-10.5(d)(4). (b) The individual or entity that has the authority under IC 3-13-5, IC 3-13-6, IC 3-13-7, IC 3-13-8, IC 3-13-9, IC 3-13-10, or IC 3-13-11 to select a candidate for an appointment pro tempore may remove a candidate from consideration if the candidate does not meet the requirements under subsection (a). (c) For purposes of determining whether a candidate for an appointment pro tempore complies with a requirement imposed under this chapter on a candidate for election to the office, the term "before the election" is considered to read as: (1) "before the date of the caucus that is required to fill the vacant office"; or (2) "before the date that the county political party chairman appoints an individual to fill the vacant office"; whichever is the case. (d) If a town council member: (1) was elected or selected as a candidate from a town council district; and (2) served on a council that subsequently adopted an ordinance under IC 36-5-2-4.1 abolishing town council districts; a candidate for selection for an appointment pro tempore to succeed the town council member is not required to reside within the district formerly represented by the town council member. As added by P.L.7-1990, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.3-1993, SEC.55; P.L.176-1999, SEC.28; P.L.219-2013, SEC.16; P.L.159-2025, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-6 President; Vice President; presidential elector; alternate presidential elector

Sec. 6. (a) A candidate for the office of President or Vice President of the United States must have the qualifications provided in Article 2, Section 1, clause 4 of the Constitution of the United States. (b) A candidate for the office of presidential elector or alternate presidential elector must have the qualifications provided in Article 2, Section 1, clause 2 of the Constitution of the United States and Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: U.S. Const. Art. 2, § 1, Cl. 5.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.83; P.L.3-1993, SEC.56; P.L.201-2017, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-7 United States Senator

Sec. 7. A candidate for the office of United States Senator must have the qualifications provided in Article 1, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution of the United States. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: U.S. Const. Art. 1, § 3, Cl. 3.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-8 United States Representative

Sec. 8. A candidate for the office of United States Representative must have the qualifications provided in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution of the United States. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: U.S. Const. Art. 1, § 2, Cl. 2.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-9 Governor or lieutenant governor

Sec. 9. A candidate for the office of governor or lieutenant governor: (1) must have been a United States citizen for at least five (5) years before the election; (2) must have resided in the state for at least five (5) years before the election; (3) must be thirty (30) years old upon taking office; and (4) may not hold any other office of the United States or of this state upon taking office; as provided in Article 5, Sections 7 and 8 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 5, §§ 7, 8.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-9.5 Governor and lieutenant governor must run jointly

Sec. 9.5. (a) This section applies to a candidate for governor who seeks election by filing: (1) a petition of nomination under IC 3-8-6; or (2) a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under IC 3-8-2-2.5. (b) The petition or declaration must contain the name of a candidate for lieutenant governor to permit the candidates to comply with Article 5, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana by running jointly in the general election as candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. As added by P.L.3-1997, SEC.116. Amended by P.L.10-2019, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-10 Attorney general

Sec. 10. A candidate for the office of attorney general must: (1) have resided in Indiana for at least two (2) years before the election; and (2) have been admitted to the practice of law in Indiana for at least five (5) years upon taking office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 4-6-1-3 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.84; P.L.10-1992, SEC.10 and P.L.11-1992, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-11 Justice of supreme court; judge of court of appeals

Sec. 11. A nominee for appointment as a justice of the supreme court or judge of the court of appeals must: (1) be a United States citizen; (2) reside in the appropriate court of appeals district, if applicable; and (3) have been admitted to the practice of law in Indiana for at least ten (10) years or have served as a circuit, superior, or criminal court judge for at least five (5) years; upon nomination, as provided in Article 7, Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 7, § 10 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.86.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-12 Tax court judge

Sec. 12. A nominee for appointment as the judge of the tax court must: (1) have resided in Indiana for at least two (2) years before the election; and (2) have been admitted to the practice of law in Indiana for at least five (5) years upon nomination. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 33-3-5-4.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.88.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-13 Senator in general assembly

Sec. 13. A candidate for the office of senator in the general assembly must: (1) be a United States citizen at the time of election; (2) have resided in the state for at least two (2) years and in the senate district for at least one (1) year before the election; and (3) be at least twenty-five (25) years old upon taking office; as provided in Article 4, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 4, § 7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-14 Representative in general assembly

Sec. 14. A candidate for the office of representative in the general assembly must: (1) be a United States citizen at the time of election; (2) have resided in the state for at least two (2) years and in the house district for at least one (1) year before the election; and (3) be at least twenty-one (21) years old upon taking office; as provided in Article 4, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 4, § 7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-15 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 4, § 30.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Repealed by P.L.3-1987, SEC.570.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-16 Circuit court judge

Sec. 16. A candidate for the office of judge of a circuit court must: (1) reside in the circuit; and (2) be admitted to the practice of law in the state; upon taking office, as provided in Article 7, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 7, § 7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-17 Superior or probate court judge

Sec. 17. A candidate for the office of judge of a superior or probate court must: (1) be admitted to the practice of law in Indiana upon filing a declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination, or upon the filing of a certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8; and (2) comply with any other requirement for that office set forth in IC 33-29, IC 33-33, or IC 33-31. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 33-13-9-1 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.89; P.L.5-1989, SEC.22; P.L.98-2004, SEC.28.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-18 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 33-10.5-4-1.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.90. Repealed by P.L.201-2011, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-19 Prosecuting attorney

Sec. 19. A candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney must be admitted to the practice of law in the state before the election, as provided in Article 7, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 7, § 16 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-19.5 Circuit court clerk

Sec. 19.5. A candidate for the office of circuit court clerk must comply with Article 6, Section 2 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. As added by P.L.10-1988, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-20 County officers

Sec. 20. A candidate for the office of county auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff, coroner, or surveyor must have resided in the county for at least one (1) year before the election, as provided in Article 6, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: Ind. Const. Art. 6, § 4.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-21 County commissioner

Sec. 21. A candidate for the office of county commissioner must: (1) have resided in the county for at least one (1) year before the election, as provided in Article 6, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana; and (2) have resided in the district in which the candidate is seeking election for at least six (6) months before the election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: Ind. Const. Art. 6, § 4; 36-2-2-5(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.77-2014, SEC.2; P.L.278-2019, SEC.19; P.L.227-2023, SEC.35.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-22 County council member

Sec. 22. A candidate for membership on the county council of a county must: (1) have resided in the county for at least one (1) year before the election, as provided in Article 6, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana; and (2) have resided in the district in which seeking election, if applicable, for at least six (6) months before the election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: Ind. Const. Art. 6, § 4; 36-2-3-5(a).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-23 County assessor

Sec. 23. A candidate for the office of county assessor must satisfy the following: (1) The candidate must have resided in the county for at least one (1) year before the election, as provided in Article 6, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. (2) The candidate must own real property located in the county upon taking office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: Ind. Const. Art. 6, § 4; 36-2-15-2(b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.91; P.L.219-2007, SEC.1; P.L.146-2008, SEC.2; P.L.146-2012, SEC.1; P.L.76-2014, SEC.12; P.L.167-2015, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-23.5 Repealed

As added by P.L.224-2007, SEC.1 and P.L.219-2007, SEC.2. Repealed by P.L.3-2008, SEC.269; P.L.146-2008, SEC.801.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-23.6 Repealed

As added by P.L.3-2008, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.146-2008, SEC.3; P.L.76-2014, SEC.13. Repealed by P.L.167-2015, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-24 Mayor of first class city

Sec. 24. A candidate for the office of mayor of a first class city must have resided in the city for at least one (1) year before the date of taking office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-3-3-2(b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.266-2013, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-25 City-county council member

Sec. 25. A candidate for membership on city-county council of a first class city must have resided in the district in which seeking election, if applicable, for at least one (1) year before the date of taking office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-3-4-2(b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.266-2013, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-26 Mayor of second or third class city

Sec. 26. A candidate for the office of mayor of a second or third class city must have resided in the city for at least one (1) year before the election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-4-5-2(b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-27 Common council member

Sec. 27. A candidate for membership on common council of a second or third class city must: (1) have resided in the city for at least one (1) year; and (2) have resided in the district in which seeking election, if applicable, for at least six (6) months; before the election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-4-6-2(b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-28 City clerk of second class city; city clerk-treasurer of third class city

Sec. 28. A candidate for the office of city clerk of a second class city or city clerk-treasurer of a third class city must have resided in the city for at least one (1) year before the election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-4-10-3(a).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-28.5 City court judge

Sec. 28.5. (a) This section does not apply to a candidate for the office of judge of a city court in a city located in a county having a population of more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) and less than three hundred thousand (300,000). (b) A candidate for the office of judge of a city court must reside in the city upon filing any of the following: (1) A declaration of candidacy or declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate required under IC 3-8-2. (2) A petition of nomination under IC 3-8-6. (3) A certificate of nomination under IC 3-10-6-12. (c) A candidate for the office of judge of a city court must reside in a county in which the city is located upon the filing of a certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8. (d) Before a candidate for the office of judge of a city court may file a: (1) declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination; (2) certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8; or (3) declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or certificate of nomination under IC 3-8-2-2.5 or IC 3-10-6-12; the candidate must be an attorney in good standing admitted to the practice of law in Indiana. As added by P.L.3-1987, SEC.92. Amended by P.L.12-1992, SEC.4; P.L.12-1997, SEC.1; P.L.38-1999, SEC.23; P.L.176-1999, SEC.29; P.L.254-1999, SEC.3; P.L.14-2000, SEC.2; P.L.98-2004, SEC.29; P.L.119-2012, SEC.5; P.L.173-2015, SEC.2; P.L.104-2022, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-29 Town council member

Sec. 29. A candidate for membership on a town council must reside in the district in which seeking election, if applicable. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 36-5-2-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.8-1989, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-29.5 Repealed

As added by P.L.176-1999, SEC.30 and P.L.254-1999, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.14-2000, SEC.3; P.L.98-2004, SEC.30. Repealed by P.L.173-2015, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-30 Small claims court judge

Sec. 30. A candidate for the office of judge of a small claims court must: (1) be a United States citizen upon taking office; (2) either: (A) have resided in the township from which the candidate is elected for at least one (1) year upon taking office; or (B) have been elected as a small claims court judge in the township before 1999; (3) be of high moral character and reputation; and (4) be admitted to the practice of law in Indiana upon filing a declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination or upon the filing of a certificate of candidate selection under IC 3-13-1-15 or IC 3-13-2-8. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-3-2 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.93; P.L.95-1999, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-31 Small claims court constable

Sec. 31. A candidate for the office of constable of a small claims court must: (1) have resided in the township for more than one (1) year upon taking office; and (2) be at least twenty-one (21) years old upon taking office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-8-4(d) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.18-1993, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-32 Precinct committeeman; delegate to state convention

Sec. 32. A candidate for: (1) precinct committeeman; or (2) delegate to a state convention; of a political party in the state whose nominee received at least ten percent (10%) of the total vote cast for secretary of state at the last election must comply with any candidate requirement set by state party rules. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-9-4.5(a), (c).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.66-2003, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-33 Statement of economic interests; candidates required to file

Sec. 33. (a) A candidate for an office listed in subsection (b) must file a statement of economic interests. (b) Whenever a candidate for any of the following offices is also required to file a declaration of candidacy or is nominated by petition, the candidate shall file a statement of economic interests before filing the declaration of candidacy or declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, before the petition of nomination is filed, before the certificate of nomination is filed, or before being appointed to fill a candidate vacancy under IC 3-13-1 or IC 3-13-2: (1) Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state comptroller (auditor of state), treasurer of state, and attorney general, in accordance with IC 4-2-6-8. (2) Senator and representative in the general assembly, in accordance with IC 2-2.2-2. (3) Justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, judge of the tax court, judge of a circuit court, judge of a superior court, judge of a probate court, judge of a city court, judge of a town court, and prosecuting attorney, in accordance with IC 33-23-11-14 and IC 33-23-11-15. (4) A candidate for a local office or school board office, in accordance with IC 3-8-9, except a candidate for a local office described in subdivision (3). [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: 2-2.1-3-2 part; 4-2-6-8 part; 33-2.1-8-6 part; 33-2.1-8-7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.94; P.L.3-1995, SEC.48; P.L.14-2004, SEC.52; P.L.98-2004, SEC.31; P.L.2-2005, SEC.2; P.L.201-2011, SEC.2; P.L.90-2012, SEC.1; P.L.123-2015, SEC.18; P.L.219-2017, SEC.3; P.L.8-2019, SEC.2; P.L.227-2023, SEC.36; P.L.40-2025, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 3-8-1-34 School board offices

Sec. 34. (a) A candidate for a school board office must have resided in the school corporation for at least one (1) year before the election. (b) This subsection applies to a candidate for school board office seeking to represent an election district that consists of less than the entire school corporation. The candidate must have resided in the election district for at least one (1) year before the election. As added by P.L.3-1987, SEC.95. Amended by P.L.3-1997, SEC.117; P.L.233-2015, SEC.1.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/3Fetched: 10/17/2026

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