1. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), "candidate" means an individual who:

   1. (1) has taken the action necessary to qualify under Indiana law for listing on the ballot at an election or to become a write-in candidate;
   2. (2) has publicly announced or declared candidacy for an elected office; or
   3. (3) otherwise seeks nomination for or election to an elected office, regardless of whether the individual wins election to the office.

2. (b) As used in IC 3-9 , an individual becomes a "candidate" when the individual, the candidate's committee, or a person acting with the consent of the individual:

   1. (1) receives more than one hundred dollars ($100) in contributions; or
   2. (2) makes more than one hundred dollars ($100) in expenditures.

3. (c) As used in IC 3-13-1 and IC 3-13-2 , "candidate" includes an individual filling a general or municipal election ballot vacancy under IC 3-13-1 or IC 3-13-2 when a county or town election board, the Indiana election commission, or a court has determined that the required action of:

   1. (1) the individual; or

   2. (2) another person under IC 3-13-1 or IC 3-13-2 ;

      is void or invalid.

      [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: 3-4-1-3; 3-4-8-1 part.]

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.4-1991, SEC.1; P.L.3-1997, SEC.4; P.L.153-2024, SEC.1.