It’s Time Indiana’s Secretary of State Served the People

I grew up in rural Montgomery County. I know the Hoosier work ethic. When something needs to get done, we don’t hesitate. We step up and see it through.

That is not the standard I have seen reflected in our state government lately, and certainly not in the Secretary of State’s office.

For the past year, I have taken a serious look at what this office is supposed to do and where it is falling short. The Secretary of State’s office touches nearly every Hoosier. It oversees elections, supports businesses, and maintains critical public records. At its core, it should operate as a service to the public.

Instead, we have seen an office that has drifted from that purpose. Hoosiers are dealing with outdated systems, inconsistent communication, and decisions that raise real concerns about transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Hoosiers deserve better.

They deserve an office that runs elections with clarity, neutrality, and professionalism. They deserve business services that are reliable and easy to navigate. They deserve to know their information is handled with care and responsibility. And they deserve leadership that treats this role as a public trust, not a political prize.

On March 21, I was nominated to be the Libertarian candidate for Indiana Secretary of State. I am not running to build a political career or advance myself, I’m running to make this office more stable and functional than it is now. I bring a different perspective to this race. As someone outside the two-party system, I have experienced firsthand how election rules can impact access and fairness. I understand what it means to operate within systems that do not always welcome competition or choice.

But this is not just about candidates. It is about voters.

Trust in our elections and institutions does not come from rhetoric. It comes from consistency, transparency, and systems that people can rely on. Every Hoosier should be able to access clear information, complete necessary tasks without frustration, and feel confident that the system is working for them.

The Secretary of State’s office should reflect the same ethics and reliability that Hoosiers bring to their jobs every day. Show up. Do the work. Get it right.

This role is not meant to be a stepping stone. It is a responsibility to serve.

If we want elections that people trust and systems that work for everyone, not just party insiders, then we have to be willing to expect more from this office and from the people who lead it. We have to decide it’s time for a change. We have to decide we’ve had enough. And then we have to vote differently.

It is time to get back to basics. It is time to restore professionalism, accountability, and service to a government that’s supposed to serve the people and put our government back to work for us.

Lauri Shillings,

Libertarian candidate for Indiana Secretary of State.