Independent Indiana is working to turn down the temperature on political disagreement by getting more independent candidates on the ballot, its leaders say.

According to the Independent Voter Project, 44% of all registered voters in Indiana identify as independent — meaning they do not necessarily align with either major party. Independent Indiana’s goal is to increase the number of independent candidates running for office.

The group says there is momentum. In 2023 and 2024, a total of 244 independents ran for office in Indiana, and 127 of them won, a 52% success rate. During that same period, Republicans had a 61% success rate, while Democrats had a 35% success rate.

"Independent Indiana is a new initiative to try and give people hope,” Nathan Gotsch, the executive director of Independent Indiana, said. “You know... most people, I think, feel like we are stuck right now in this back and forth so much partisan bickering. But the reality is, all across the state, people have been running outside of the two-party system."

Indiana law defines an independent candidate as a person not affiliated with any political party. There is no “Independent Party” in Indiana, though some voters mistakenly believe there is.