What does it take for a third party to be automatically placed on the Indiana ballot?
In the Hoosier state access comes through the office of the Secretary of State. For the Constitution Party of Indiana, we must have a candidate running for this office and they must garner 2% of the entire votes cast in the last Secretary of State race. Example: Joe Smith would like to run for Secretary of State in the 2014 race (this is the next time this position will be up for reelection). 1,709,679 votes were cast statewide in the general election in 2010 for Secretary of State. Joe would need 2% of those votes in the 2014 election. If Joe can garner 34,195 votes statewide , than the Constitution Party will officially be on the Indiana ballot in 2016.
2014-16 is so far away! Can’t we have candidates run now?
Yes, we certainly can! The above scenario is to secure ballot access in order that our candidates do not have to gather petitions to be eligible to have their names on the ballot. This makes the candidate’s job easier so they can focus on running their campaigns.
Since the CP of Indiana had no candidates run for Secretary of State, each candidate must secure a certain amount of signatures to have their names placed on their ballot between now and 2016. Another example: Cindy Jones would like to run for State Representative on the CP ticket in her district in 2012. She must find out how many people in her district voted for secretary of state and take 2% of the total to know the required signatures she must obtain to have her name on the ballot for the race she is running. Circuit court clerks should have information on the district and precinct votes for the office of secretary of state in the 2006 general election to help determine the number of signatures required for a candidate seeking ballot placement by petition of nomination. Please visit the bottom of page 69 of the 2010 Candidate Guide from the Indiana Election Board to learn more.
This seems like so much work. Is it even possible?
All things are possible for those who are willing to work hard to achieve it. Jesus Christ said, "Even the least of you Will be able to perform miracles even greater than I." The very definition of miracle requires what others' think is impossible.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana has achieved ballot access continually since 1994. If they can do it, so can other third parties. But this takes a tremendous amount of work from everyone at every level of our party. Please contact us via our Volunteer Page and let us know how you can participate in this endeavor. If you are interested in running for office in the 2011-12 election cycle, please use our contact page to indicate your interest.
Presidential petitions can begin now!
Please visit the Presidential Petition page to find out how you can help us get our presidential candidate on the ballot in Indiana.
Website resources for ballot access issues in our country:
Click here for information on our petition for our presidential candidate.
