Two Democratic secretary of state candidates traveled to Northwest Indiana Thursday evening to talk about their platforms, specifically their goals to increase voter turnout.
Indivisible NWI, a local progressive organization, hosted a secretary of state candidate forum at the Lake County Public Library’s Merrillville branch. Democrats Beau Bayh and Blythe Potter participated in Thursday’s forum.
Indiana Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Beau Bayh answers a question from an audience member during a forum held by Indivisible NWI on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
“We know there are many places you could be, and there’s a lot going on, so we thank you for being here,” Indivisible NWI President Kim Eldridge said. “It’s important for us to do an occasional forum … so that we can make sure we’re making an educated decision with our votes.”
Candidates were given 10 minutes for an opening statement, a question-and-answer period, and time for a closing statement. Questions were primarily focused on duties of the secretary of state’s office, including plans to protect election integrity, how to improve voter turnout and how to improve civic literacy in Indiana.
Beau Bayh, 30, is an Indianapolis-based attorney and U.S. Marine Corps captain running for secretary of state. Bayh’s grandfather Birch Bayh was a U.S. Senator, who helped draft Title IX, and his father Evan Bayh served as Indiana Secretary of State, Governor and U.S. Senator.
“I don’t know if I could talk when I first got involved (in politics),” Bayh said. “I have been blessed with an amazing family. My granddad is a hero of mine, and my dad is a hero of mine.”
Indiana Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Blythe Potter speaks as fellow candidate Beau Bayh sits nearby during a forum held by Indivisible NWI on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Bayh announced his campaign about four months ago, he said, adding that he’s been to Lake County five times in that time. If elected, Bayh plans to open an independent audit of the office “on day one,” saying he’s concerned about how current Secretary of State Diego Morales has used state funds, and Bayh wants to know who else is complicit.
Morales, who took office in 2023, has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for the number of international trips he’s taken, spending in his office, hiring a family member for an office position, and not having properly notarized staff to accept candidate paperwork.
Bayh is also focused on increasing voter turnout throughout the state, including by working with legislators to expand Indiana’s early voting period and end straight-ticket voting. He’s also dedicated to instituting a statewide, citizen-led ballot referendum to “get big issues on the ballot,” including abortion access, which Bayh believes will increase voter turnout. The Indiana Bar Foundation’s 2025 Civic Health Index report ranked the state 41st in voter turnout and 33rd in voter registration nationally.
“I want to be the type of leader in state government that brings people together,” Bayh said. “It’s time for a brighter future for Indiana.”
Audience members listen as Indiana Democratic candidates for Secretary of State Beau Bayh and Blythe Potter speak during a forum held by Indivisible NWI on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Blythe Potter, 43, is a Bargersville-based small business owner and a U.S. Army Reserves veteran. Potter became involved in politics “by total accident,” she said, which she believes makes her the best person for the job.
“I was not born to be a politician, and I was not raised to be a politician,” Potter said. “At many points in my life, I said I didn’t want to do this.”
Potter wants to update the INBiz website to make it easier for business owners to navigate, and she plans to update the process to file for municipal elections, which is all on paper. Potter believes that creating an online version would make it easier for more people to run and “get more Democrats on the ballot.”
When Hoosiers turn 18 years old, Potter wants to give them a “welcome to voting” book that would explain the importance and the process. She also wants to create a “voter guidebook” that includes non-partisan information about candidates, voting locations and hours, and Potter wants to create a “Hoosier hall pass” for 16- and 17-year-olds Indiana residents to miss school to work the polls.
Audience members listen as Indiana Democratic candidates for Secretary of State Beau Bayh and Blythe Potter speak during a forum held by Indivisible NWI on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
“This is a service job,” Potter said. “I’ve been in the service industry, in some capacity, since I was 14 years old. This job should be about serving our communities, serving the residents of Indiana.”
If either Bayh or Potter is successful, the winner would be a Democrat working in a Republican majority state government. However, both candidates said the possibility doesn’t scare them.
The secretary of state job is administrative, Potter said, and she’s dedicated to updating and modernizing the office. Doing so will accomplish more, she said, and it will put more trust back into the office.
“We are here to serve the public because the public pays us with their tax dollars,” Potter said. “I want to change the leadership style. I’m going to lead by example, not just for Democrats but for anybody who decides to be an elected official.”
Bayh hopes that if he runs a competitive campaign at the top of the ballot, it will break some of Indiana’s supermajority. He thinks there’s been 20 years of “little competition” in Indiana politics, and more competition would help voters.
“When I win this race, with your help, it’s not going to be the same course of business that they’re used to,” Bayh said. “It’s going to force them to be held accountable and to take better actions because they’re going to have a fear of accountability.”
Both candidates also shared their top priority for office, with each saying that they’re focused on completing an independent audit immediately.
“There’s no room in our state government for insider dealing and corruption,” Bayh said. “Then we will turn to election issues and increasing participation in our state.”
Potter is also focused on an independent audit, and she’s also dedicated to protecting voters and increasing turnout.
“Whatever the results of an independent audit are, in real time, I want to make sure that we’re sharing that information,” Potter said. “That way, Hoosiers know what I know, and they can see what’s been going on, and that can be a cautionary tale going forward.”
