By Caroline BeckWFYI Public MediaJuly 27, 2026A new Indiana law that lets school board candidates run under a political party is now threatening to knock the only two candidates for an Indianapolis Public Schools board seat off the November ballot. The concerns around party affiliation for school board candidates all stem back to a 2025 state law that now allows school board candidates to run as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or choose not to affiliate with any party at all. The Marion County Election Board was set to hear arguments on Cornett’s challenge during its Monday meeting. Brad Boswell, an attorney with Faegre Drinker advising the election board, also explained that conflicting language in state election law and the language in the new school board candidate law complicates both of these challenges. Aug. 21 is the final day to challenge any school board candidates who have filed to run through the normal process.