Morales reminds Dubois County candidates one week left to file

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales issued a reminder that candidates have one week left to file declarations of candidacy for the 2026 Primary Election, with the statutory deadline set for Friday, February 6, 2026 at noon. The notice underscores that under Indiana law election officials are prohibited from accepting filings after the deadline.

Morales urged prospective officeholders to submit paperwork promptly, saying, “Time is running out for Hoosiers who wish to place their name on the ballot. Filing early helps avoid last-minute issues and ensures candidates are fully prepared for the upcoming election.” The Secretary of State’s Office said it will accept filings weekdays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. through February 6 at noon, and listed its office at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The filing rules split responsibility between state and county offices. Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, state legislative seats, and judicial offices - including county prosecuting attorneys - must file their declaration of candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State. By contrast, candidates for non-judicial county offices, township offices, town offices, school board offices, precinct committeeman, or state convention delegate must file their declaration of candidacy at the office of the County Clerk in which they reside. For Dubois County residents, that means most local office hopefuls will submit paperwork to the Dubois County Clerk rather than to the state office.

The Secretary of State’s release also reiterated that the office continues to provide resources and assistance to candidates throughout the filing process and encouraged prospective candidates to review all requirements carefully and complete their filings ahead of the deadline. The release referenced a detailed candidate guide available online and noted additional reminders posted on social media, including an Instagram post on January 15 that referenced a January 21 campaign finance reminder.

For local voters and civic groups, the filing deadline marks the start of a visible campaign season. Potential candidates who miss the Feb. 6 noon cutoff cannot be added to the ballot, a strict legal constraint intended to preserve the integrity of the electoral calendar. That puts a premium on planning paperwork and meeting whatever documentation the relevant filing office requires.

What this means for Dubois County readers: anyone considering a run for county, township, school board or precinct posts should contact the Dubois County Clerk’s office now and file their declaration of candidacy before noon on Feb. 6. Candidates for state legislative, federal, or judicial posts should plan to use the Secretary of State’s filing window. With a hard statutory cutoff, filing early is the most reliable way to secure a place on the primary ballot.