With a Presidential primary late in the cycle, [FN1] gerrymandering by over two decades of GOP control draining doubt from most races, and politicians on the national stage w/charisma such as that of Mike Pence, political culture of Indiana (“IN”) garners little national notice. 1/9

That should change. On 11/3, IN elects a new Secretary of State (“SofS”). [FN2] Both “major” parties’ chose their nominees at conventions that were as rancorous as the weeks that led up to them. The SofS is IN’s chief election officer. [FN3] Democrats nominated 2/9

Beau Bayh [FN4] specifically promises that, if elected, he will have the books in his new office audited. Otherwise, the authority of the SofS to break new ground w/sweeping changes in policy is limited and would have to go through the AOPA. [FN5] Bayh is on his way 3/9

to higher office, but he’d be best to limit his focus to this job. The GOP nominee, Max Engling, touts being a Christian, says that IN’s voters are conservative, care about “faith, family and doing things the right way & he’ll do the job w/zero compromise. [FN6] One more thing: 4/9

"If we lose the office, we can lose everything else." [FN7] We all should be concerned by this statement. Bayh faces review of any actions on policy he takes to be submitted to the Indiana Supreme Court and its 5-0 GOP justices. Max Engling? GOP & maga.
More later... 5/9

Footnotes:
FN1. In 2024, Indiana’s May 7 primary occurred after most other States’ primaries and caususes. See, “Timeline of the 2024 United States presidential election,” Wikipedia, accessed 6/21/26.
FN2. I.C. §4-5-1-1(a). 6/9

FN3. I.C.§ 3-6-3.7-1.
FN4. Casey Smith and Mackenzi Kleeman, “Beau Bayh defeats Blythe Potter for Democratic secretary of state nomination,” Indiana Capital Chronicle, 6/6/26, accessed 6/7/26. 7/9

FN5. I.C. § 4-21.5, Indiana Admin Orders & Procedures Act defines procedures agencies must follow re: orders affecting “rights of specific persons”; I.C. § 4-22-2, governs gen’l rulemaking process.” IN Legal Services Authority, “Indiana Admin...” accessed 6/21/26. 8/9

FN6. Benjamin Thorp and Caroline Beck, “Republicans choose Max Engling in upset for secretary of state nomination,” npr, 6/20/26.
FN7. Id. 9/9