The general election is coming up later this fall on Nov. 3, 2026, and the No. 1 office on the ballot is for Indiana Secretary of State. Republicans have controlled the secretary’s office since 1994, but the race is as tight as ever between Max Engling (R), Beau Bayh (D), Greg Ballard (I), and Lauri Shillings (L).
Indiana Secretary of State Candidates on the Get IN. Podcast
Three of the four candidates have been featured as guests on the Get IN. Podcast in 2026.
Beau Bayh (D) was the first to join in July, doing so alongside Lindsay Gramlich, CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis and Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 39. They talked about the importance of voter participation, political success measures, and important issues for young Hoosiers.
Max Engling (R) was the second secretary of state candidate to come on Get IN. He won in the Republic convention, defeating incumbent Diego Morales and David Shelton with 53.3% of the vote. Engling, who was a behind-the-scenes Senate staffer, became the Republican nominee in just 31 days.
Most recently, Greg Ballard (I) joined the show to talk about his 23 years of experience in the U.S. Marine Corps, his two-term run as Indianapolis Mayor and achievements while he was in office, and the over 74,000 petition signatures he collected in his run for secretary of state, formed around expanding ballot access and voter information. Ballard
Open Invite to Lauri Shillings (L)
Get Indiana did not pursue interviews with Beau Bayh, Max Engling, and Greg Ballard, and instead fulfilled requests from their representatives to be guests on the Get IN. Podcast. There is an open Get IN. Podcast invitation to Libertarian Party candidate Lauri Shillings.
Secretary of State Responsibilities
According to ballotpedia.org, the Indiana Secretary of State is one of five statewide, elected constitutional officers. The secretary is responsible for the maintenance of state records and preservation of the state seal, charters new businesses, regulates the securities industry, oversees state elections, commissions notaries public, and provides trademark and licensing services to Indiana automotive dealers.
How to Vote in the General Election
- The voter registration deadline for in-person, online and postmarked mail is Oct. 5, 2026
- Absentee/mail-in voting is not available to all voters
- The absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline for in-person, online and received mail is Oct. 22, 2026
- The absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline for in-person and received mail is Nov. 3, 2026
- Early voting is available to all voters from Oct. 6, 2026 to Nov. 2, 2026
- Election Day polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET/CT)
Upcoming Debate
The four secretary of state candidates were part of the Indy Chamber’s HobNob legislative forum, a moderated conversation that was held on Aug. 26 at The Crane Bay Event Center.
A more traditional debate with the candidates, hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, inside the WFYI studios in Indianapolis. There will be no audience, but questions can be submitted by the public at www.indianadebatecommission.com via the “Ask Your Question” link.
