Sec. 5. (a) A candidate may use on the ballot any combination of designations permitted by this section.

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 3-5-7-5

  • designation: refers to a name, a nickname, an initial, an abbreviation, or a number used to identify an individual. See Indiana Code 3-5-7-2
  • name: refers to any of the following:

    Indiana Code 3-5-7-3

     (b) A candidate may not use on the ballot a designation other than a designation permitted by this section.

     (c) Subject to subsections (d) and (e), a candidate may use designations on the ballot as follows:

(1) The first designation that a candidate uses on the ballot may be one (1) of the following:

(A) The candidate’s legal given name.

(B) The initial of the candidate’s legal given name.

(C) The candidate’s legal middle name.

(D) The initial of the candidate’s legal middle name.

(E) The candidate’s nickname.

(2) After the designation used under subdivision (1), a candidate may use any of the following designations if not used under subdivision (1):

(A) The candidate’s legal middle name.

(B) The initial of the candidate’s legal middle name.

(C) The candidate’s nickname.

(D) The candidate’s legal surname.

(3) After a designation used under subdivision (2), a candidate may use the following if not used under subdivision (1) or (2):

(A) The candidate’s nickname.

(B) The candidate’s legal surname.

(4) After a designation used under subdivision (3), a candidate may use the candidate’s legal surname on the ballot if not used under subdivision (2) or (3).

(5) After a candidate’s legal surname, a candidate may use any of the following designations:

(A) Sr.

(B) Jr.

(C) A numerical designation such as “II” or “III”.

     (d) A candidate may use a nickname on the ballot only if the nickname satisfies the following:

(1) The nickname is a name by which the candidate is commonly known.

(2) The nickname does not exceed twenty (20) characters.

(3) The nickname complies with subsection (e).

(4) Unless the candidate uses the nickname as the first designation under subsection (c)(1), notwithstanding any other method of designation used by a candidate or in a document declaring or consenting to the individual’s candidacy, any nickname permitted under this section must be set forth on the ballot within parentheses.

     (e) A candidate may not use a:

(1) title or degree as a designation; or

(2) designation that implies a title or degree.

As added by P.L.202-1999, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.278-2019, SEC.3.

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