Indiana Secretary of State
| Indiana Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $94,760 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $22,328,385 |
| Term limits: | Eight out of 12 years |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| Other Indiana Executive Offices | |
| Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Comptroller •Examiner •Secretary of Education •Agriculture Director •Insurance Commissioner •Natural Resources Director •Labor Commissioner •Utility Regulatory Commission | |
TheSecretary of State forIndiana is one of five statewide, elected constitutional officers created by Indiana's Constitution. The secretary is responsible for "maintenance of state records and preservation of the state seal." They also charter new businesses, regulates the securities industry within Indiana, runs state elections and provides a number of services to the state's automobile dealers.[1]
Indiana has a Republicantriplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Indiana Secretary of State isDiego Morales (R). Morales assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The Indiana Secretary of State's powers, term of office, etc. are derived fromArticle VI of theIndiana Constitution.
Article 6, Section 1:
| There shall be elected, by the voters of the state, a Secretary, an Auditor and a Treasurer of State... |
Qualifications
Candidates for secretary of state, as with all Indiana state and local offices, must be registered to vote. He or she must also file a "statement of economic interest" regarding any possible financial interests a candidate may have in the office. Additionally, there are a variety of factors that can disqualify a potential candidate for secretary of state, including:[2]
- Offering a bribe, threat or reward to procure their own election.
- Having been convicted of a felon.
- Having been previously removed from office.
- Being a member of the U.S. armed forces
Elections
Secretaries of state are elected to four-year terms during federal midterm election years (2022, 2026, 2030, etc.) and take office on January 1 in the year following their election.[3] Elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.[4]
Term limits
Term limits for the secretary of state are defined inArticle 6, Section 1 of the Indiana Constitution, which prohibits a secretary of state for holding the position for more than eight years in any given 12 year period.
Indiana Constitution, Article 6, Section 1:
| There shall be elected, by the voters of the state, a Secretary, an Auditor and a Treasurer of State, who shall, severally, hold their offices for four years. They shall perform such duties as may be enjoined by law; and no person shall be eligible to either of said offices, more than eight years in any period of twelve years. |
Election results
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2030
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 20, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Beau Bayh (D) andBlythe Potter (D) are running in the Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 6, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Beau Bayh | ||
 | Blythe Potter  | |
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2022
General election
General election for Indiana Secretary of State
Diego Morales (R) defeatedDestiny Scott Wells (D),Jeff Maurer (L),David Wetterer (G), andAndrew Straw (Disability Party) in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Diego Morales (R) | 54.1 | 999,893 |
 | Destiny Scott Wells (D) | 40.2 | 742,624 | |
 | Jeff Maurer (L) | 5.7 | 104,519 | |
| David Wetterer (G) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 107 | ||
 | Andrew Straw (Disability Party) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 36 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,847,179 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Destiny Scott Wells (D) advanced from the Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Destiny Scott Wells |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2 | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Diego Morales (R) defeated incumbentHolli Sullivan (R) andDavid Shelton (R) in the Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kyle Conrad (R)
- Paul Hager (R)
Libertarian Party convention
Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State
Jeff Maurer (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Indiana Secretary of State on March 5, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Maurer |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2018
General election
General election for Indiana Secretary of State
IncumbentConnie Lawson (R) defeatedJim Harper (D) andMark Rutherford (L) in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Connie Lawson (R) | 56.2 | 1,263,074 |
 | Jim Harper (D) | 40.6 | 911,546 | |
 | Mark Rutherford (L) | 3.2 | 71,234 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0% | 905 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 2,246,7590 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Vacancies
Thegovernor fills vacancies in the office of secretary of state by appointment; the appointee serves until the next election.[5]
Indiana Constitution, Article 5, Section 18
| When, during a recess of the General Assembly, a vacancy shall happen in any office, the appointment to which is vested in the General Assembly; or when, at any time, a vacancy shall have occurred in any other State office, or in the office of Judge of any Court; the Governor shall fill such vacancy, by appointment, which shall expire, when a successor shall have been elected and qualified. |
Duties
The secretary is responsible for "maintenance of state records and preservation of the state seal." He or she also charters new businesses, regulates the securities industry within Indiana, runs state elections and provides a number of services to the state's automobile dealers. The secretary of state also provides a variety of educational materials, from guides instructing entrepreneurs how to start a new business to voter and candidate registration information.[6]
Divisions
The Office of the Secretary of State has four divisions:
- Election Division - responsible for overseeing elections, registering candidates, and monitoring campaign finance.
- Business Services Division - charters corporations, registers trademarks, notaries public, and liens under the Uniform Commercial Code, and issues apostilles.
- Securities Division - oversees the state's securities industry, as well as mortgage brokers, retirement facilities, and collection agencies. It is also responsible for administering state and federal securities laws.
- Dealer Services Division - responsible for the oversight and regulation of motor vehicle dealerships, including dealers for automobiles, watercraft, off-road vehicles and automobile salvage.[7]
State budget
- See also:Indiana state budget and finances
The Secretary of State's budget was $22,328,385 for Fiscal Year 2025.[8]
Compensation
The salaries of executive officers in Indiana are determined by theIndiana State Legislature. In 2007, theIndiana Senate passed SB 401, which tied annual salary increases to increases received by state employees. State executive officials are not eligible for salary increases if state employees do not receive increases to their salaries.[9]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $94,760, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $91,707, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2021
In 2021, the secretary of state received a salary of $89,514, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2020
In 2020, the secretary of state received a salary of $86,654, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2019
In 2019, the secretary of state received a salary of $82,640, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2018
In 2018, the secretary of state received a salary of $82,640, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2017
In 2017, the secretary of state received a salary of $81,020, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $78,584, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $76,892, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of$76,892, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[19]
2013
In 2013, the secretary received a salary of$74,580, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[20]
2012
In 2012, the secretary received a salary of$72,974, according to theCouncil of State Governments.
Historical officeholders
There have been 63 secretaries of state since 1816. Of the 63 officeholders, 36 were Republicans and 23 were Democrats.[21]
| List of Former Officeholders from 1816-Present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
| 1 | Robert A. New | 1816-1825 | Dem-Rep | ||
| 2 | William W. Wick | 1825-1829 |  | ||
| 3 | James Morrison | 1829-1833 |  | ||
| 4 | William Sheets | 1833-1837 | Whig | ||
| 5 | William J. Brown | 1837-1841 | | ||
| 6 | William Sheets | 1841-1845 | Whig | ||
| 7 | John H. Thompson | 1845-1849 | Whig | ||
| 8 | Charles H. Test | 1849-1851 | | ||
| 9 | Nehemiah Hayden | 1853-1855 | | ||
| 10 | Erasmus B. Collins | 1855-1857 | | ||
| 11 | Daniel McClure | 1857-1858 | | ||
| 12 | Cyrus L. Dunham | 1858-1861 | | ||
| 13 | William A. Peelle | 1861-1863 | | ||
| 14 | James S. Athon | 1863-1865 | | ||
| 15 | Nelson Trusler | 1865-1869 | | ||
| 16 | Max F. A. Hoffman | 1869-1871 | | ||
| 17 | Norman Eddy | 1871-1872 | | ||
| 18 | John H. Farquar | 1872-1873 | | ||
| 19 | William W. Curry | 1873-1875 | | ||
| 20 | John E. Neff | 1875-1879 | | ||
| 21 | John G. Shanklin | 1879-1881 | | ||
| 22 | Emanuel R. Hawn | 1881-1883 | | ||
| 23 | William R. Myers | 1883-1887 | | ||
| 24 | Charles F. Griffin | 1887-1891 | | ||
| 25 | Claude Matthews | 1891-1893 | | ||
| 26 | Myron D. King | 1893-1893 | | ||
| 27 | William R. Myers | 1893-1895 | | ||
| 28 | William D. Owen | 1895-1899 | | ||
| 29 | Union B.Hunt | 1899-1903 | | ||
| 30 | Daniel E. Storms | 1903-1906 | | ||
| 31 | Fred A. Sims | 1906-1910 | | ||
| 32 | L.G. Ellingham | 1910-1914 | | ||
| 33 | Homer L. Cook | 1914-1916 | | ||
| 34 | Ed Jackson | 1916-1917 | | ||
| 35 | William A. Roach | 1917-1920 | | ||
| 36 | Ed Jackson | 1920-1924 | | ||
| 37 | Fred Schortemeier | 1924-1928 | | ||
| 38 | Otto G. Fifield | 1928-1930 | | ||
| 39 | Frank Mayr, Jr. | 1930-1934 | | ||
| 40 | August G. Mueller | 1934-1938 | | ||
| 41 | James M. Tucker | 1938-1942 | | ||
| 42 | Maurice G. Robinson | 1942-1942 | | ||
| 43 | Rue J. Alexander | 1942-1946 | | ||
| 44 | Thomas E. Bath, Jr. | 1946-1948 | | ||
| 45 | Charles F. Fleming | 1948-1950 | | ||
| 46 | Leland L. Smith | 1950-1952 | | ||
| 47 | Crawford F. Parker | 1952-1956 | | ||
| 48 | Frank A. Lenning | 1956-1958 | | ||
| 49 | John R. Walsh | 1958-1960 | | ||
| 50 | Charles O. Hendricks | 1960-1964 | | ||
| 51 | John D. Bottorff | 1964-1966 | | ||
| 52 | Edgar D. Whitcomb | 1966-1968 | | ||
| 53 | William N. Salin | 1968-1970 | | ||
| 54 | Larry A. Conrad | 1970-1978 | | ||
| 55 | Edwin J. Simcox | 1978-1986 | | ||
| 56 | Birch Evan Bayh III | 1986-1989 | | ||
| 57 | Joseph H. Hogsett | 1989-1994 | | ||
| 58 | Sue Ann Gilroy | 1994-2002 | | ||
| 59 | Todd Rokita | 2003-2010 | | ||
| 60 | Charlie White | 2011-2012 | | ||
| 61 | Connie Lawson | 2012-2021 | | ||
| 62 | Holli Sullivan | 2021-2023 | | ||
| 63 | Diego Morales | 2023-Present | | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsIndiana Secretary of State. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
Indiana Secretary of State
201 Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-6531
Fax: (317) 233-3283
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑Indiana Secrectary of State, "About the office," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Indiana Code, "IC 3-8-1-1,5,33," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Justia, "2019 Indiana Code, Title 4. State Offices and Administration, Article 5. Secretary of State, Chapter 1. Secretary of State, 4-5-1-1. Commencement of term; bond," accessed January 25, 2022
- ↑Indiana Code, "IC 3-10-2-1," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Indiana General Assembly, "Indiana Constitution Article 5, Section 18," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Indiana Secretary of State, "About the office," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Indiana Secretary of State, "About the office," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Indiana State Budget Agency, "2023-2025 The Whole Budget Report," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑Indiana General Assembly, "Senate Enrolled Act No. 401," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
- ↑Indiana State Library, Secretaries of State, accessed January 21, 2021
