Gov. Braun Signs Law Requiring Political Affiliations for School Board Elections in Indiana

Gov. Braun Signs Law Requiring Political Affiliations for School Board Elections in Indiana

Evansville, Ind. (Hoosier Enquirer) – Indiana’s school board elections will no longer be nonpartisan, marking a significant shift in the state’s electoral process. On Tuesday, Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 287 into law, mandating that candidates for school board positions disclose their political affiliations.

The new law, passed by the Indiana General Assembly on April 24, requires school board candidates to register with a political party or as an independent. This change ends the longstanding tradition of nonpartisan school board elections in Indiana, where candidates previously ran without party labels. The legislation aims to provide voters with more transparency about candidates’ political leanings, though it has sparked debate over the potential for increased partisanship in local education governance.

Senate Enrolled Act 287 will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to all school board elections held after that date. Proponents argue the law will help voters make informed decisions by clarifying candidates’ ideological alignments, especially on issues like curriculum, school policies, and budget priorities. Critics, however, contend that introducing party affiliations could polarize school boards, diverting focus from student-centered decision-making to political agendas.

The move comes amid a broader national trend of heightened political attention to school board races, with debates over topics like parental rights, diversity initiatives, and book bans gaining prominence. Indiana’s law is expected to reshape how candidates campaign and how voters evaluate them in future elections.

As the 2025 election cycle approaches, school board candidates across the state will need to decide whether to align with a political party or run independently, a choice that could influence voter perceptions and election outcomes. The Hoosier Enquirer will continue to monitor the impacts of this legislation as it takes effect.

Published May 8, 2025