Can former President Donald Trump be on the Indiana ballot if he’s convicted of one of the 91 felonies charged against him?
The simple answer is yes.
“Indiana Code 3-8-1-5 disqualifies a candidate for state or local office if they have a felony (in jail or out),” stated Valerie Warycha, co-General Counsel at the Indiana Election Division. “However, there is no federal equivalent, so you could have a felon run for a federal office even if they are in jail.”
Trump faces numerous charges ranging from conspiracy, obstruction of justice and official misconduct.
“Indiana does not put many requirements on who can run for office. For example, you do not need a background in auditing to be a county auditor,” stated Andy Downs, former head of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue University Fort Wayne. “This is, in part, because there is an expectation voters will do their research and vote for the best person.”
Indiana places numerous restrictions on who can serve in state, county and local offices, but those laws are limited when it comes to federal offices.
“Hoosiers do not have much influence on the requirements to be a candidate for federal office by the Constitution or Congress. Once again, the expectation is voters will do their research and vote for the best person, ” Downs also stated. “Historically, I think if Hoosiers were asked whether a felony conviction should keep someone from running for office, there would be a mixed response. If you asked it today, it might be even more mixed because it would be seen as a question about Donald Trump, not a question in the abstract about what might disqualify a person from seeking office.”
