IC 3-5-2.1-16: "Candidate"

Sec. 16. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), "candidate" means an individual who:

(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) has publicly announced or declared candidacy for an elected office; or

(3) otherwise seeks nomination for or election to an elected office, regardless of whether the individual wins election to the office.

(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) receives more than one hundred dollars ($100) in contributions;

(2) makes more than one hundred dollars ($100) in expenditures;

(3) is required to file a written instrument designating a principal committee under IC 3-9-1-5.5 or IC 3-9-5-1;

(4) is subject to campaign contribution limits under IC 3-9-2;

(5) is subject to campaign expense restrictions under IC 3-9-3; or

(6) is subject to requirements for campaign communications including fabricated media under IC 3-9-8.

(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) the individual; or

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

is void or invalid.

(d) As used in IC 3-14-3-18, "candidate" includes an individual described in IC 3-14-3-18(a).