The Secretary of State’s Office is about Service, not Politics

Running a business in Indiana should be hard for the right reasons.

It should be hard because you are taking a risk. Because you are building something new. Because you are competing, growing, and solving real problems in your community.

It should not be hard because you are trying to navigate outdated government systems and red tape.

But for too many Hoosiers, that is exactly their experience.

From registering a new business to filing annual reports to searching public records, entrepreneurs across Indiana rely on the Secretary of State’s office every day. These are not optional interactions. They are required steps to participate in our economy.

And yet, too often, those systems are confusing, inconsistent, and unnecessarily difficult to use.

That is not just frustrating. It is a barrier to growth.

When a website is difficult to navigate, when information is hard to find, or when processes are unclear, it costs people time and money. It delays launches. It creates errors. It discourages small business owners who are already taking on enough risk.

For a first-time entrepreneur, these systems are often their first real interaction with the state government. That experience matters.

It sets the tone for whether the government feels like a partner or an obstacle.

The Secretary of State’s office plays a central role in shaping that experience. It oversees business services, maintains official records, and provides the tools that thousands of Hoosier businesses depend on to operate legally and efficiently.

At its core, this office is not about politics. It is about service.

And service means meeting people where they are.

In 2026, that means building systems that are clear, accessible, and easy to use. It means modernizing websites so that business owners can complete tasks quickly and confidently. It means providing accurate, straightforward information without requiring users to dig through layers of bureaucracy to find what they need. You need to meet your customers’ needs in a way that’s convenient for them, the Secretary of State's office should be meeting your needs in a way that’s convenient for you. 

These are not complicated ideas. They are basic expectations.

But they require leadership that is focused, disciplined, and willing to prioritize function and customer service over political optics.

I am running for Indiana Secretary of State because I believe this office should work for the people who rely on it every day.

That includes the small business owner trying to file paperwork after a long day of work. The entrepreneur launching something new. The Hoosier who simply wants to access accurate information without frustration.

Government should not be the hardest part of doing business.

We can build systems that are efficient, transparent, and respectful of people’s time. We can create an experience that reflects the professionalism and work ethic Hoosiers expect.

And we can do it without turning this office into a political battleground.

This is a service role. It always has been.

It is time we started treating it that way again.

Lauri Shillings

Libertarian Candidate for Secretary of State

Lauri Shillings is a lifelong Hoosier, community leader, and Libertarian candidate for Indiana Secretary of State. She is running to restore trust, transparency, and independence to one of the most important offices in Indiana government.