Board denies affiliation challenge against Chris Boltman; he remains listed as Democrat

The Marion County Election Board denied an affiliation challenge to candidate Chris Boltman on Aug. 10, allowing him to remain on the Indianapolis Public Schools District 4 ballot with a Democratic designation.

Boltman presented his CAN-34 paperwork and documentation of prior primary ballots showing he had pulled Democratic ballots across multiple past primaries, including 2026, 2020 and 2018. He told the board his CAN-34 contained 12 verified signatures and that the pages were stamped as received on June 16, 2026.

Board staff reviewed the voter file and confirmed multiple Democratic primary ballots attributed to Boltman. After discussion and a motion, the board denied the affiliation challenge. Chair Nolita Stewart announced the challenge was denied and thanked participants for their presentations.

Boltman closed by saying he had truthfully filed his candidacy and asked the board to permit him to remain on the ballot as a Democrat; the board's action left him listed with that party label for the November ballot. The board reiterated that any final decision of an election board may be the subject of judicial review within 30 days.