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Indiana Secretary of State election, 2018

From Ballotpedia


2022
2014
Indiana Secretary of State
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Election details
Filing deadline: July 16, 2018
Primary: N/A
General: November 6, 2018

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Connie Lawson (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voting in Indiana
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2018
Impact of term limits in 2018
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
Indiana
executive elections
Secretary of state

Treasurer
Auditor

Indiana held an election forsecretary of state onNovember 6, 2018.

In Indiana, political parties nominate state executive candidates at their conventions instead of holding a primary. The Republican Party convention took place on June 9, and the Democratic Party convention took place on June 16. Following the convention, the political parties submit their nominations to the state elections board to be certified for the ballot. These nominations had to be submitted by July 16, 2018.[1]

All minor party and independent candidates must file signed petitions of nomination with the Secretary of State's Office in order to be certified for the general election ballot. These petitions had to be submitted by July 16, 2018.[1] Because a Libertarian Party candidate won at least 2 percent but less than 10 percent of the vote cast for Indiana Secretary of State in the last election held for the office in2014, the party nominated general election candidates during its convention's business meeting on May 5, 2018. Libertarian Party nominations also had to be submitted by July 16, 2018.[1]

For more information on secretary of state elections in 2018,click here.

SETTING THE STAGE
  • Heading into the election, the sittingsecretary of state wasConnie Lawson (R), who was first appointed to the position in April 2012 following the resignation ofCharlie White (R). Lawson was elected to a full term in2014 and announced on May 4, 2017, that she would seek election to a second full term in 2018.
  • At the time of the 2018 election,Indiana was aRepublican trifecta. It first gained this status in 2011, when theRepublican Party gained a majority in theIndiana House of Representatives. Indiana was aRepublican triplex in 2018.
  • In the five presidential elections leading up to the 2018 election, Indiana was won by theRepublican nominee in 2000, 2004, 2012, and 2016 and by theDemocratic nominee in 2008. The widest margin of victory wasGeorge W. Bush's 20.7 percent margin in 2004 while the narrowest wasBarack Obama's one percent margin in 2008.

  • Candidates and election results

    General election

    General election for Indiana Secretary of State

    IncumbentConnie Lawson defeatedJim Harper andMark Rutherford in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.

    Candidate
    %
    Votes
    Image of Connie Lawson
    Connie Lawson (R)
     
    56.2
     
    1,263,074
    Image of Jim Harper
    Jim Harper (D)
     
    40.6
     
    911,546
    Image of Mark Rutherford
    Mark Rutherford (L)
     
    3.2
     
    71,234
     Other/Write-in votes
     
    0.0
     
    905

    Ballotpedia Logo

    Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

    Total votes: 2,246,759
    Candidate Connection = 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.

    Write-in candidates

    Green PartyGeorge Wolfe (Green)
    Grey.pngJeremy Heath (Pirate Party)

    State overview

    Partisan control

    This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Indiana heading into the 2018 elections.

    Congressional delegation

    State executives

    • As of May 2018, Republicans held seven of 14state executive positions, and seven positions were held by nonpartisan or independent officials.
    • The governor of Indiana was RepublicanEric Holcomb.

    State legislature

    • Republicans controlled both chambers of theIndiana General Assembly. They had a 70-30 majority in the state House and a 41-9 majority in the state Senate.

    Trifecta status

    • Indiana was a Republican trifecta, meaning the Republican Party held control of the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.

    2018 elections

    See also:Indiana elections, 2018

    Indiana held elections for the following positions in 2018:

    Demographics

    Demographic data for Indiana
     IndianaU.S.
    Total population:6,612,768316,515,021
    Land area (sq mi):35,8263,531,905
    Race and ethnicity**
    White:84.2%73.6%
    Black/African American:9.2%12.6%
    Asian:1.9%5.1%
    Native American:0.2%0.8%
    Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
    Two or more:2.2%3%
    Hispanic/Latino:6.4%17.1%
    Education
    High school graduation rate:87.8%86.7%
    College graduation rate:24.1%29.8%
    Income
    Median household income:$49,255$53,889
    Persons below poverty level:18.4%11.3%
    Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
    Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Indiana.
    **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere.

    As of July 2016, Indiana had a population of approximately 6,600,000 people, with its three largest cities being Indianapolis (pop. est. 856,000), Fort Wayne (pop. est. 265,000), and Evansville (pop. est. 119,000).[2][3] The chart on the right shows demographic information for Indiana from 2010 to 2015.

    State election history

    This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Indiana from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Indiana Secretary of State.[4]

    Historical elections

    Presidential elections

    This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Indiana every year from 2000 to 2016.

    Election results (President of the United States), Indiana 2000-2016
    YearFirst-place candidateFirst-place candidate votes (%)Second-place candidateSecond-place candidate votes (%)Margin of victory (%)
    2016Republican PartyDonald Trump56.8%Democratic PartyHillary Clinton37.9%18.9%
    2012Republican PartyMitt Romney54.1%Democratic PartyBarack Obama43.9%10.2%
    2008Democratic PartyBarack Obama50.0%Republican PartyJohn McCain48.9%1.1%
    2004Republican PartyGeorge W. Bush59.9%Democratic PartyJohn Kerry39.3%20.6%
    2000Republican PartyGeorge W. Bush56.7%Democratic PartyAl Gore41.0%15.7%

    U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results ofU.S. Senate races in Indiana from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

    Election results (U.S. Senator), Indiana 2000-2016
    YearFirst-place candidateFirst-place candidate votes (%)Second-place candidateSecond-place candidate votes (%)Margin of victory (%)
    2016Republican PartyTodd Young52.1%Democratic PartyEvan Bayh42.4%9.7%
    2012Democratic PartyJoe Donnelly50.0%Republican PartyRichard Mourdock44.3%5.7%
    2010Republican PartyDan Coats54.6%Democratic Party Brad Ellsworth40.0%14.6%
    2006Republican PartyRichard Lugar87.3%Libertarian Party Steve Osborn12.6%74.7%
    2004Democratic PartyEvan Bayh61.7%Republican Party Marvin Scott37.2%24.5%
    2000Republican PartyRichard Lugar66.5%Democratic PartyDavid Johnson31.9%34.6%

    Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Indiana.

    Election results (Governor), Indiana 2000-2016
    YearFirst-place candidateFirst-place candidate votes (%)Second-place candidateSecond-place candidate votes (%)Margin of victory (%)
    2016Republican PartyEric Holcomb51.4%Democratic Party John R. Gregg45.4%6.0%
    2012Republican PartyMike Pence50.0%Democratic Party John R. Gregg46.6%3.4%
    2008Republican PartyMitch Daniels57.8%Democratic Party Jill Long Thompson40.1%17.7%
    2004Republican PartyMitch Daniels53.2%Democratic Party Joe Kernan45.5%7.7%
    2000Democratic PartyFrank O'Bannon56.6%Republican Party David M. McIntosh41.7%14.9%

    Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Indiana in theU.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

    Congressional delegation, Indiana 2000-2016
    YearRepublicansRepublicans (%)DemocratsDemocrats (%)Balance of power
    2016Republican Party777.8%Democratic Party222.2%R+5
    2014Republican Party777.8%Democratic Party222.2%R+5
    2012Republican Party666.7%Democratic Party333.3%R+3
    2010Republican Party444.4%Democratic Party555.6%D+1
    2008Republican Party444.4%Democratic Party555.6%D+1
    2006Republican Party777.8%Democratic Party222.2%R+5
    2004Republican Party666.7%Democratic Party333.3%R+3
    2002Republican Party666.7%Democratic Party333.3%R+3
    2000Republican Party666.7%Democratic Party333.3%R+3

    Trifectas, 1992-2017

    Astate government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

    Indiana Party Control: 1992-2026
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Eighteen years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year9293949596979899000102030405060708091011121314151617181920212223242526
    GovernorDDDDDDDDDDDDDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
    SenateRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
    HouseDDDRRDDDDDDDDRRDDDDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


    Pivot Counties

    See also:Pivot Counties by state

    Five of 92 Indiana counties—5 percent—arePivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and forDonald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

    Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
    CountyTrump margin of victory in 2016Obama margin of victory in 2012Obama margin of victory in 2008
    Delaware County, Indiana13.43%3.12%14.98%
    LaPorte County, Indiana6.33%12.57%22.04%
    Perry County, Indiana18.55%11.59%22.84%
    Porter County, Indiana6.59%3.90%7.20%
    Vigo County, Indiana14.97%0.86%15.83%

    In the 2016 presidential election,Donald Trump (R) won Indiana with 56.9 percent of the vote.Hillary Clinton (D) received 37.8 percent. Indiana Gov.Mike Pence (R) was Trump's running mate. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Indiana voted Republican 83.33 percent of the time and Democratic 16.67 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Indiana voted Republican four times and Democratic once when it voted forBarack Obama in 2008.

    Presidential results by legislative district

    The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Indiana. Click[show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled byDaily Kos.[5][6]

    In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 28 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 32.8 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 25 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 32.9 points. Clinton won one district controlled by a Republican heading into the 2018 elections.
    In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 72 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 25.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 75 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 34.3 points. Trump won six districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.
    2016 Presidential Results by state House District '
    DistrictObamaRomney2012 MarginClintonTrump2016 MarginParty Control
    174.02%24.38%D+49.669.13%26.57%D+42.6D
    291.24%8.20%D+8386.86%10.81%D+76.1D
    385.10%14.01%D+71.176.56%20.48%D+56.1D
    446.94%51.38%R+4.444.02%50.44%R+6.4R
    543.96%54.42%R+10.542.04%52.89%R+10.8R
    665.56%32.91%D+32.662.43%32.71%D+29.7D
    749.21%49.37%R+0.242.98%52.50%R+9.5D
    850.73%47.97%D+2.848.45%46.84%D+1.6D
    960.14%37.95%D+22.251.04%43.89%D+7.1D
    1058.94%39.04%D+19.948.29%45.87%D+2.4D
    1141.85%56.39%R+14.532.04%62.83%R+30.8R
    1253.19%45.32%D+7.951.20%44.04%D+7.2D
    1334.43%63.03%R+28.625.19%69.21%R+44R
    1483.05%16.18%D+66.977.49%19.96%D+57.5D
    1546.17%52.52%R+6.442.67%53.12%R+10.5R
    1638.06%59.58%R+21.524.96%70.45%R+45.5R
    1733.98%64.01%R+3025.85%69.06%R+43.2R
    1826.77%71.19%R+44.420.36%74.88%R+54.5R
    1947.78%50.75%R+342.72%52.73%R+10R
    2047.61%50.07%R+2.534.89%59.54%R+24.7R
    2139.78%58.56%R+18.833.73%61.94%R+28.2R
    2223.30%74.84%R+51.519.91%75.20%R+55.3R
    2336.08%61.21%R+25.124.21%70.73%R+46.5R
    2431.59%66.93%R+35.340.35%53.30%R+13R
    2536.30%61.32%R+2527.19%67.54%R+40.3R
    2649.86%47.78%D+2.150.02%43.22%D+6.8R
    2751.92%45.41%D+6.548.64%44.84%D+3.8D
    2827.16%71.07%R+43.924.52%69.75%R+45.2R
    2930.84%67.12%R+36.332.24%61.50%R+29.3R
    3044.78%52.78%R+832.84%61.89%R+29.1R
    3140.25%57.59%R+17.328.83%66.42%R+37.6R
    3231.06%66.81%R+35.723.91%70.93%R+47R
    3339.69%58.25%R+18.625.55%69.80%R+44.2R
    3461.63%35.68%D+25.952.44%41.78%D+10.7D
    3541.75%56.04%R+14.330.87%64.18%R+33.3D
    3652.89%44.86%D+841.75%53.32%R+11.6D
    3735.26%63.23%R+2840.95%53.05%R+12.1R
    3833.79%64.07%R+30.323.90%71.40%R+47.5R
    3932.92%65.53%R+32.640.88%53.34%R+12.5R
    4036.23%62.08%R+25.835.50%58.61%R+23.1R
    4129.51%67.92%R+38.422.67%71.80%R+49.1R
    4239.22%58.41%R+19.226.29%69.50%R+43.2R
    4355.30%42.73%D+12.645.56%49.83%R+4.3D
    4431.50%66.22%R+34.721.02%74.48%R+53.5R
    4536.84%61.06%R+24.224.84%71.19%R+46.4R
    4638.55%59.25%R+20.731.57%63.54%R+32R
    4729.10%68.87%R+39.824.16%70.65%R+46.5R
    4838.56%59.90%R+21.332.75%62.92%R+30.2R
    4933.11%65.49%R+32.432.54%63.39%R+30.9R
    5033.14%65.13%R+3227.01%68.02%R+41R
    5134.00%63.93%R+29.924.48%70.78%R+46.3R
    5231.00%67.27%R+36.324.47%70.89%R+46.4R
    5330.23%67.35%R+37.123.85%70.13%R+46.3R
    5438.63%58.47%R+19.824.91%69.53%R+44.6R
    5533.15%64.51%R+31.422.12%73.36%R+51.2R
    5642.11%55.91%R+13.833.19%62.25%R+29.1R
    5730.69%67.09%R+36.423.49%71.18%R+47.7R
    5831.41%66.58%R+35.227.77%66.87%R+39.1R
    5937.11%60.82%R+23.731.83%62.16%R+30.3R
    6039.41%58.45%R+1934.82%60.63%R+25.8R
    6169.90%27.39%D+42.575.00%20.08%D+54.9D
    6240.31%57.59%R+17.334.37%60.99%R+26.6R
    6330.08%67.97%R+37.922.31%72.84%R+50.5R
    6432.42%65.53%R+33.124.93%70.82%R+45.9R
    6534.17%63.45%R+29.325.48%69.95%R+44.5R
    6643.12%54.94%R+11.830.53%65.36%R+34.8D
    6733.59%63.85%R+30.320.50%75.70%R+55.2R
    6828.25%69.83%R+41.619.20%77.08%R+57.9R
    6936.52%60.78%R+24.322.82%72.40%R+49.6R
    7036.18%61.71%R+25.527.10%68.70%R+41.6R
    7150.92%47.20%D+3.744.56%50.60%R+6D
    7242.89%55.41%R+12.538.96%56.02%R+17.1R
    7336.02%61.42%R+25.422.93%72.72%R+49.8R
    7444.73%53.00%R+8.331.06%63.50%R+32.4R
    7537.34%60.55%R+23.228.95%66.32%R+37.4R
    7639.60%58.59%R+1932.85%62.36%R+29.5R
    7757.50%40.60%D+16.952.56%42.87%D+9.7D
    7837.34%61.05%R+23.735.16%60.59%R+25.4R
    7928.95%69.22%R+40.321.65%73.97%R+52.3R
    8078.11%20.64%D+57.574.22%22.20%D+52D
    8144.14%53.80%R+9.740.62%53.82%R+13.2R
    8230.25%67.78%R+37.521.96%73.57%R+51.6R
    8331.27%67.18%R+35.929.98%65.17%R+35.2R
    8434.51%63.98%R+29.533.23%62.10%R+28.9R
    8531.58%66.88%R+35.327.71%67.59%R+39.9R
    8657.98%40.35%D+17.664.62%29.75%D+34.9D
    8749.95%48.31%D+1.655.89%38.06%D+17.8D
    8834.66%63.88%R+29.237.37%57.03%R+19.7R
    8947.75%50.14%R+2.443.77%50.93%R+7.2R
    9034.68%63.24%R+28.632.08%62.11%R+30R
    9137.73%59.66%R+21.931.71%62.40%R+30.7R
    9251.81%46.05%D+5.849.25%45.19%D+4.1D
    9334.28%63.70%R+29.432.89%61.93%R+29R
    9482.54%16.46%D+66.182.29%14.31%D+68D
    9577.93%21.08%D+56.875.26%21.28%D+54D
    9684.99%13.71%D+71.383.70%12.01%D+71.7D
    9753.11%44.02%D+9.148.46%45.17%D+3.3D
    9882.27%16.60%D+65.778.54%18.32%D+60.2D
    9983.25%15.77%D+67.580.80%15.76%D+65D
    10061.83%35.60%D+26.259.68%34.20%D+25.5D
    Total43.94%54.15%R+10.237.92%57.16%R+19.2-
    Source:Daily Kos


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