Former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard entered the November secretary of state race as the Lincoln Party’s standard‑bearer, positioning his campaign as a vehicle to broaden ballot access for independent candidates across Indiana. Ballard, who served two terms as a Republican mayor, announced his independent run in March and adopted the Lincoln Party banner a week later, arguing that the current signature requirement – roughly 37,000 certified signatures for a statewide office – was designed by the two major parties to keep challengers out.
How the Lincoln Party Could Change the Rules
If Ballard captures at least 2% of the vote, the Lincoln Party would earn automatic ballot placement for its candidates for the next four years. Surpassing the 10% threshold would allow the party to join the Republican and Democratic parties in nominating candidates through primaries, giving voters a true third‑party option.
Ballard’s supporters, including former Fort Wayne teacher‑turned‑activist Nathan Gotsch, say the effort reflects a growing frustration with what they view as a two‑party monopoly. Gotsch, who founded the nonprofit Independent Indiana in 2025, cited internal polling that showed Ballard with support from nearly one‑quarter of voters in a hypothetical matchup against current GOP Secretary of State Diego Morales and Democrat Beau Bayh.
Critics Question Ideology and Transparency
Republican secretary of state candidate Max Engling has challenged the Lincoln Party’s lack of a defined platform, calling the effort a “blank slate” that offers no clear stance on key issues such as Indiana’s law banning transgender youth from girls’ sports or local tax policy. Engling argues that without an articulated ideology, voters cannot assess what the party stands for.
Former state Democratic Party chair Robin Winston noted that the campaign has devolved into a “back‑and‑forth” between Ballard and Engling, diverting attention from the duties of the secretary of state’s office.
Local Voices on Ballot Access
DeKalb County Republican‑turned‑independent ClaraMary Winebrenner, who earned 32% in a recent county commissioner race, praised Ballard’s push, saying the Lincoln Party could give Hoosiers more choices and break the grip of the major parties. She also called for the elimination of straight‑ticket voting, which she believes limits voter deliberation.
Winebrenner, an attorney who has run for office four times, described the signature‑gathering process as “almost not doable at the state level” because of the sheer volume required, underscoring the practical barrier that the Lincoln Party hopes to dismantle.
What Success Could Mean for Indiana
Should the Lincoln Party clear the 2% mark, it would join the Libertarian Party as a minor party with automatic ballot access, a status the Libertarians have held since clearing the threshold in 1994. Minor parties in Indiana enjoy broad latitude in setting delegate rules for state convention nominations.
Gotsch indicated the party could also leverage a state law that requires a county party chair’s approval for any primary candidate who has not cast their two most recent primary ballots for that party, a mechanism he believes could help ensure “high‑quality” candidates are placed on the ballot.
Looking Ahead
Ballard acknowledges that building a statewide party structure will take time. He says the Lincoln Party will grow “little by little” and will not flood the 2027‑2028 races, focusing instead on recruiting candidates who can realistically win.
The upcoming election will test whether Indiana voters are ready for a third‑party option that promises to level the playing field without sacrificing conservative values. Regardless of the outcome, the campaign has already sparked a statewide conversation about the fairness of ballot‑access rules and the role of independent voices in Hoosier politics.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
