INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Secretary of State candidate Greg Ballard has called upon Gov. Mike Braun to compel the Indiana Election Commission to meet ahead of the November election.
Ballard hand-delivered the letter to Braun on Monday. It comes less than 24 hours after a judge denied Ballard’s request in Marion County court to force the commission to settle open finance complaints against candidates Beau Bayh and Max Engling.
Four campaign finance complaints are currently pending before the commission. Two concern a $60,000 donation from a political action committee called Hoosier Leadership for America to Republican Max Engling’s campaign.
A filing by David Shelton, the Knox County clerk and one of the candidates Engling defeated at the Indiana Republican Party convention in June, says the donation violates the $5,000 corporate contribution limit. The other two complaints involve Democrat Beau Bayh. Those complaints claim materials and social media posts advertising Bayh’s appearances at party functions going back to 2025 amounted to an in-kind contribution that was not reported.
Ballard, an independent running under the Lincoln Party label, said the commission historically has met every September to review any business before it. He said the lack of a meeting so far is a political decision that puts the interests of the Republican and Democratic parties over those of voters.
In his letter, Ballard writes: “I feel strongly that the Election Commission has chosen an unfair course of action to protect the two major parties and to maintain their dominance. That said, you have the power to compel the commission to meet.”
See Ballard’s letter below.
Ballard says his campaign is considering its “appellate options” in the lawsuit.
“I hope that further legal action is not necessary and the governor acts in the best interest of Indiana voters,” said Ballard. “The clock is ticking, and Hoosiers deserve to have all the information needed to make informed decisions in this race.”
Braun has not commented on Ballard’s letter.
This is a developing story.
