For the first time in state history, school board candidates could choose to identify with a political party when filing to run for office.
School board candidate filings officially closed June 18, and for the first time ever, party labels were included on the form.
Thanks to Senate Bill 287, all school board candidates in Indiana are required to identify with a political party, declare independent, or choose not to disclose political affiliation. The bill, which was signed into law in May 2025, made Indiana the 10th state to allow partisan school board races. Now, voters may have to decide between party lines come Election Day.
IndyStar reported last month on the impact of party labels hitting Indiana school boards.
“I think I ought to select independent, and I wish everybody running would do that,” Joe Forgey, the secretary of the Noblesville school board and current candidate, told IndyStar. “But here’s what you face. There’s an advantage to picking a party when it comes to ballot placement.”
Forgey declared Republican.
Here’s a list of the 2026 school board candidates who registered to run in Marion County and Hamilton County, along with their declared party. Incumbents are noted with an asterisk.
Franklin Township
Indianapolis Public Schools
Lawrence Township
Washington Township
Beech Grove
Decatur Township
Perry Township
Pike Township
Warren Township
Wayne Township
Carmel Clay
Hamilton Heights
Hamilton Southeastern
Noblesville
Sheridan
Westfield Washington
Both Marion County and Hamilton County school board general elections will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can check here for more information on what to expect on your ballot.
Grace Randolph is an Ida B. Wells investigative intern for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at GRandolph@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: See who’s running for school board – and what party they chose
Reporting by Grace Randolph, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Grace Randolph, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
