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Major Error in Diego Morales' Office Jeopardizes Hundreds of Indiana State Legislature Candidates
- Hoosier Enquirer Staff
- 32 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Hoosier Enquirer Staff
February 3, 2026 INDIANAPOLIS – A significant administrative oversight in the Indiana Secretary of State's office has potentially put over 800 candidates for the state legislature at risk of being removed from the ballot, according to a Republican lawyer in southern Indiana who spoke on condition of anonymity. The issue centers on the CAN-2 Declaration of Candidacy forms, which were allegedly processed without the required notary stamps, a critical requirement under Indiana election law. The lawyer from Southern Indiana, who has been closely reviewing candidate filings for Republican campaigns, confirmed 02-02-2026 around 3:45pm to Hoosier Enquirer that numerous CAN-2 forms submitted to Secretary of State Diego Morales' office were missing the necessary notarization.
"This is a fundamental step that appears to have been overlooked on a very large scale," the source said. "Without those notary stamps, these declarations could be legally challenged and potentially thrown off the ballot, creating chaos for candidates and voters alike."Indiana election law requires the CAN-2 form—used by candidates seeking nomination to the Indiana House or Senate—to be properly notarized to authenticate the candidate’s signature, eligibility affirmations, residency statements, and party declaration. The absence of a notary stamp leaves the filing vulnerable to objections from opposing candidates, party officials, or county election boards.
The lawyer estimated that more than 800 candidates across the state could be affected, spanning both major parties and independent candidates. With the 2026 candidate filing window recently closed and primaries on the horizon, the error threatens to disrupt campaigns at a critical time.The issue has surfaced amid ongoing concerns about election administration in Indiana. Past controversies involving petition circulation, signature verification, and ballot access have already put pressure on the Secretary of State's office to maintain strict compliance with statutory requirements.
In a statement released today, Secretary Morales' office strongly denied any systemic problems with candidate filings, calling recent claims "false and designed to undermine confidence in Indiana's secure election processes." The office emphasized that all filings undergo bipartisan review and are processed in accordance with long-standing statutory guidelines."The Secretary of State's office takes its responsibility seriously and ensures every candidate filing meets legal requirements," the statement read. "We will continue to combat misinformation that threatens public trust in our elections."Despite the official denial, the southern Indiana Republican lawyer urged swift action to identify and correct any deficient filings. "Candidates have worked hard to get on the ballot," the source said. "They shouldn't have their efforts derailed by an administrative error that could have been caught before forms were accepted."
Election law experts note that missing notarization can sometimes be addressed through supplemental affidavits or corrective filings if discovered early enough. However, once formal challenges are filed, remedies become far more difficult and time-sensitive. The Hoosier Enquirer has reached out to the Secretary of State's office for comment specifically on the CAN-2 notary issue and will update this story as additional information becomes available.
Candidates who believe their filings may be affected are encouraged to immediately review their submitted paperwork and consult with legal counsel. For official filing requirements and forms, visit the Indiana Secretary of State's website.
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