What this office does
The township trustee is the elected executive of an Indiana township. The trustee administers township assistance (help for residents in need), manages township property and funds and, where the township provides it, fire protection, and prepares the budget that the township board adopts [1, 2].
The job in full — the duties the Indiana Code puts in it, the term, what it pays and who sets that, and what to ask a candidate.
- Elected
- By the voters of the township on the partisan general-election ballot [3]
- Qualifications
- Must be registered to vote in the township by the filing deadline and file a statement of economic interests [4]
- On the 2026 ballot
- 940 townships; 152 contested (more candidates, including write-ins, than seats) [5]
What the law puts in this job (5)
- Is the township executive: keeps township records, manages township property and pays township obligations [1].
- Administers township assistance for residents who cannot meet basic needs, under state standards [6].
- Prepares the township budget, which the three-member township board adopts [2].
- In many townships, provides or contracts for fire protection and emergency services [7].
- Files an annual report on township receipts and spending, which the township board reviews [8, 9].
- What's included
- the U.S. House, statewide offices, every Indiana House and Senate district on the ballot, Indiana's statewide public questions and judicial retention questions, and county, township, city, town and school board races from the Indiana Election Division's candidate list.
- Everything else
- Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: IndianaVoters.in.gov.
- Candidate lists
- As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- At the polls
- Indiana law lets you bring a list of candidates and public questions into the polling place, including one stored on your phone, as long as you don't electioneer. IC 3-11-8-18.5
This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.