INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s campaign said Wednesday he’s starting a new party so like-minded future candidates can avoid signature requirements. Ballard, who served two terms as mayor as a Republican, is running for secretary of state as an independent . Any political party that gets at least 2% of the vote in the secretary of state’s race automatically qualifies for the ballot, meaning its candidates, once nominated, do not have to collect signatures. Ballard will still be considered an independent candidate for official purposes but would appear under the Lincoln Party label if he collects enough signatures to appear. “Mayor Greg Ballard is running for Secretary of State as an independent, but due to Indiana law, the only way for his candidacy to unlock ballot access for other good people like him in the future — without the onerous signature requirements currently imposed on independent candidates — is to list the name of a party on the petition forms used to collect signatures. Such a party does not exist right now and would not be established unless the campaign meets the legal threshold after the November election results are certified. Indiana ballots have previously included candidates who were not affiliated with the major parties but appeared with a party name listed next to their candidacy. For example, in 2024 an independent candidate for president appeared on the ballot in Indiana with the name of a party listed next to their name. Given that Abraham Lincoln spent his boyhood in Indiana, where he learned the values of unity, integrity, and bringing people together, the campaign felt “Lincoln Party” was an appropriate name for this effort.”Ballard for Secretary of State campaign The Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties are the only parties that currently qualify to appear on the ballot in Indiana. Parties must hold primaries if they receive at least 10% of the vote in the secretary of state’s race. Otherwise, they must nominate candidates for all offices through party conventions, as in the case of the Libertarians in Indiana. ...read more read less