(ANGOLA) - School board races across Indiana are entering a new era.
For the first time, candidates seeking school board seats will be able to run with political party labels on the ballot, ending Indiana's long-standing tradition of nonpartisan school board elections.
The change takes effect for this year's election cycle and will affect races across northeast Indiana, including several school board seats serving Steuben County voters.
Candidates filing for school board office must now declare themselves as Republican, Democrat, independent or nonpartisan. Candidates who choose a political party affiliation will have that designation listed next to their names on the November ballot.
Supporters of the change argue voters deserve more information about candidates before casting ballots. Critics have expressed concerns that partisan politics could play a larger role in local school governance.
Candidates seeking a party label must meet Indiana's two-primary rule, meaning their two most recent primary ballot selections must match the party they wish to represent. Those who do not meet the requirement may seek approval from a county party chair.
The law does not allow straight-ticket voting in school board races.
Several school board seats serving Steuben County voters will be on the ballot this fall.
Fremont Community Schools
? District 2 (one seat)
? District 3 (three seats)
Hamilton Community Schools
? District 1 (DeKalb County side)
? District 3
? At-large seat
Metropolitan School District of Steuben County
? District 1
? District 2
? District 3
Prairie Heights Community Schools
? Milford Township
? Millgrove Township
Candidate filing for the November election is now open.