Indiana Secretary of State Candidates Debate Election Security

Republican Max Engling, Democrat Beau Bayh, Libertarian Lauri Shillings, and Lincoln Party independent Greg Ballard participated in a televised debate on October 7 in Indianapolis. Hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission at WFYI studios, the hourlong event took place less than four weeks before the November 3 general election.

The candidates presented diverging priorities for the office, which oversees Indiana's elections, business registrations, and securities regulation. Engling emphasized election security, while Bayh focused on government accountability and increasing voter participation. Shillings promoted election accessibility and transparency, and Ballard advocated for the reduction of partisan influence over election administration.

The race is particularly competitive following the departure of incumbent Republican Diego Morales, who lost his party's nomination to Engling.