Indiana judge: Unopposed candidates can be on ballot

RICHMOND, Ind. — An eastern Indiana judge has ruled that unopposed candidates can appear on a city’s election ballot despite a new state law omitting them from it.

A Wayne County judge granted an injunction Monday in a lawsuit filed by both major political parties, two unopposed candidates for Richmond offices and two voters. The Palladium-Item reports that the state attorney general’s office hasn’t decided whether to appeal.

The Republican-controlled Legislature this year approved the law requiring county clerks to omit names of unopposed candidates from the ballot.

Wayne County Republican Chairwoman Misty Hollis calls the judge’s decision a win for voters.

The Herald-Times of Bloomington reports the Monroe County Election Board also voted to include uncontested races on the local ballot.