On the first day Hoosiers could file for the primary election, 12 individuals joined Wayne County’s ballot, including one person who volunteered for two opportunities.
Most who filed on Wednesday, Jan. 7, were Republicans, along with one Democrat who joined a Republican for filing for U.S. House of Representatives’ Sixth District.
Those running as Republicans or Democrats must submit paperwork by noon Friday, Feb. 6, to get on the May 5 primary ballot.
According to Wayne County’s voter registration office, these candidates are now on the ballot:
- Wayne County Sheriff: Alan Moore (Republican)
- County Council: Jeff Cappa (District 1), Barry Ritter (District 2), Beth Leisure (District 3), all Republicans
- County Commissioner: Brad Dwenger (R)
- County Recorder: Debbie Tiemann (R)
- County Auditor: Mark Hoelscher (R)
- County Assessor: Timothy Smith (R)
- U.S. House of Representatives Sixth District: David Lawrence Boyd (Democrat), Jefferson Shreve (R)
- State convention delegates: Jane Bumbalough and Tara Pegg (District 1), Beth Leisure (District 3), all Republicans. They will only be on the ballot if there is a contest.
Additional races this spring include: Dublin, Fountain City and Hagerstown town councils (two at-large seats each), State Senate (District 27), Indiana House of Representatives (District 56), Superior Court II judge, Superior Court III judge, prosecuting attorney, County Council District 4, which includes these precincts (Center 1-6 and Wayne 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 31, 33, 34), Wayne Township assessor, Democratic Party precinct committee members, and trustees and board members for Abington, Boston, Center, Clay, Dalton, Franklin, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, New Garden. Perry, Washington, Wayne and Webster townships.
READ: Election candidate filing begins this week
READ: Barrett will not seek reelection in 2026
Running for office is a bit different for candidates not campaigning as Republicans or Democrats.
Independent or minority party candidates can file a petition of nomination for the November election for verification of petition signatures. Those candidates’ forms are due by noon June 30. Write-in candidates can file their declaration of intent to run in November. Their form is due by noon July 6.
The Libertarian Party must conduct a county convention to nominate candidates by noon July 3.
How to run for office, register to vote
In Wayne County, those interested in running for office, registering to vote for the first time, updating an address or other incorrect information on the voter rolls, or requesting an absentee ballot can visit the voter registration office inside the courthouse, 301 E. Main St., Richmond, call 765-973-9304 or go online at co.wayne.in.us/clerk/votersreg.html.
Key dates for voters
Here are key dates for Indiana voters planning to register or cast ballots this spring:
- April 6: Voter registration deadline, by 4:30 p.m. in person at the Wayne County courthouse or 11:59 p.m. online at indianavoters.com. A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary if they’ll turn 18 by the November election.
- April 23: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Voters must meet one of 12 qualifications including factors like age, disability, and lack of transportation. Note: United States Postal Service has announced that letters will be postmarked with the date they’re processed at a postal facility, not the date they’re dropped in a mailbox. Mail can be immediately postmarked by taking it into a post office and asking for that service during business hours.
Hoosiers wanting to check their voter registration status can do so anytime at indianavoters.com. After signing in, voters can change outdated information if needed.
A version of this article appeared in the January 14 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.