(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has landed ballot access for his independent campaign for Indiana secretary of state.
Under Indiana law, Ballard needed 37,000 verified voter signatures to qualify for the November ballot. A state report shows counties have certified 40,000 signatures so far, with the official tally due from filings to the Indiana Election Division by July 15.
Ballard submitted more than 74,000 signatures by the Tuesday deadline. He thanked campaign workers, volunteers, county clerks and clerk staff members who are still working through the remaining signatures.
The Capital Chronicle reports Hamilton County officials flagged one page of 10 signatures submitted on Ballard's behalf as potentially forged about a month ago. Ballard's campaign distanced itself from the "rogue" volunteer who turned them in. Indiana State Police confirmed an investigation in mid-June.
Ballard will face Democrat Beau Bayh, Republican Max Engling and Libertarian Lauri Shillings in the November 3 general election.
Ballard is running under a new "Lincoln Party" label. If he receives at least 2% of the vote, the Lincoln Party would secure basic ballot access in Indiana. That would allow the party to nominate candidates by convention instead of requiring candidates to gather thousands of signatures.