Secretary of State Diego Morales Responds to False, Uninformed Story on Candidate Filings

Office of Indiana Secretary of StateDiegoMorales

200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Secretary of State Diego Morales Responds to False, Uninformed

Story on Candidate Filings

INDIANAPOLIS (February 3, 2026) - In response to a recent article published by "IndyPolitics.Org" the Secretary of State's Office affirms its commitment to transparent and lawful administration of Indiana's election process. The article, which is highly uninformed, attempts to raise concerns about candidate filings and technicalities. The Secretary of State would like to assure Hoosiers and candidates that the candidate filing process has, and is, being administered according to statutory requirements.

Typically, the Indiana Secretary of State's Office does not respond to misinformation, in this situation however, we believe it's critical to assure candidates that candidate filing paperwork has been properly authenticated and processed according to statutory requirements.

The bi-partisan Indiana Election Division provides clear legal guidance and trained staff to assist candidates and the Secretary of State's office with compliant filing and certification. This is the same candidate filing process that has been conducted in the Secretary of State's Office for decades. Indiana's elections laws are clear, long-standing, and consistently applied.

"Once again, my office is combatting irresponsible information. This article is a "gotcha" attempt. Not only is it unprofessional, but it sows distrust in our election process. Candidates should be assured that the Indiana Secretary of State's Office takes every precaution necessary to guarantee candidate filing paperwork is completed according to Indiana law. As Indiana's Chief Election Officer, I will continue serving Hoosiers and not allow misleading reports to discredit confidence in our state's election process," said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

All candidate filings are reviewed by bi-partisan Indiana Election Division staff. Copies of Special Deputy Secretary of State appointments for authenticating candidate filings are attached.

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Media Contact - Lindsey Eaton 317.775.8909 or [email protected]