Civic
Every race on your ballot, with sources. Races by stateJoin the Luminary network

2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 52

Indiana House of Representatives. 2-year term.

Find your exact ballotAll legislative districts

What this office does

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives write and vote on state laws as part of the Indiana General Assembly. The House has 100 members, each representing one district for a two-year term [1].

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.

Term
2 years [1]
Term limit
None [1]
Seats
100 [1]
On the 2026 ballot
All 100 [2]
What the law puts in this job (2)
  • Introduces and votes on state legislation as one of the two chambers of the Indiana General Assembly [1].
  • Must be at least 21 years old when taking office and have lived in the district for at least a year [1].

About this race

  • House District 52 covers all of DeKalb County and parts of Noble and Steuben counties, according to the House Republican caucus [3]; Trost's campaign lists Allen and Wayne townships in Noble County and York, Steuben, Richland and Otsego townships in Steuben County [14].
  • Smaltz was re-elected in 2024 with 76.7% of the vote over Democrat Walt Sorg [15].
  • In the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, Smaltz defeated Eve Peters, 4,408 votes (73.7%) to 1,573 (26.3%), according to Wikipedia, which lists no Democratic primary candidate for the district [16]. Trost appears on the official general-election list [2].
  • No debate or forum between the two candidates was found as of October 10, 2026; Trost's campaign-trail page lists parades and fairs but no forums [17].

Candidates on the ballot

Ben Smaltz

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
President and owner of Taylor Rental Company, the family business [3]

The Republican incumbent since 2012 and chair of the House Rules Committee [3].

Smaltz's background

  • President and owner of Taylor Rental Company, a family business his parents opened in 1977 [3].
  • Served 10 years on the DeKalb County Council, including seven as president, according to the caucus [3].
  • Attended Ball State University; lives in Auburn [3].

Smaltz's positions

Elections & redistricting

  • Authored and defended the 2025 mid-decade congressional map, saying it "represents the best path forward" [11], while also saying "This isn't the process any of us would prefer" [4].

Public safety

  • Said of his 2025 sex offender relocation law that it "closes those loopholes and prioritizes the safety of Hoosier children and families" [7].

Economy & jobs

  • On a possible Auburn casino, said "We must be cautious and thoughtful of our constituents before moving forward" [10].

Smaltz on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No public statement by Smaltz about Trost was found.

How Smaltz got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over Eve Peters with 73.7% of the vote, according to Wikipedia [16].

Smaltz's endorsements and funding

  • Wikipedia lists endorsements from President Donald Trump, Gov. Mike Braun, Americans for Prosperity, Indiana Farm Bureau's AgELECT PAC, NFIB Indiana PAC and the NRA Political Victory Fund [16].

What we could not find about Smaltz

  • No campaign finance totals were checked for 2026.
  • Bill numbers for the 2023 livestreaming law and the 2026 stadium authority law were not confirmed from the caucus page.
  • No direct response from Smaltz to 2026 campaign criticism of his redistricting role was found.
  • No campaign website or published 2026 platform was found; The Ballot Brief reported no campaign website as of September 21, 2026 [18].

Smaltz's record in office

Indiana House record, District 52 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
26
7 became law
Co-authored
29
10 became law
Sponsored
3
2 became law
Co-sponsored
3
2 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Rules and Legislative Procedures (Chair)
  • Committee on Joint Rules
  • Elections and Apportionment
  • Ways and Means
  • Elections, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 418, No 63, Excused 10
  • 2024: Yes 277, No 33
  • 2025: Yes 417, No 90, Excused 2, Not voting 1
  • 2026: Yes 276, No 98, Not voting 3
How Smaltz voted on 37 selected bills
The 61 bills Smaltz carried

  • HB 1166: Law enforcement academy board chair.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the chair of the Indiana law enforcement training board alternates every two years among the superintendent of the Indiana state police department, a county sheriff, and a chief of police.

  • HB 1167: Live streaming and archiving meetings.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires governing bodies of state and local agencies (excluding a state supported college or university) to provide, on a publicly accessible platform: (1) live transmissions of public meetings; and (2) an archive of copies of the live transmissions with links to any meeting agendas, minutes, or memoranda.

  • HB 1168: Operating a vehicle with illegal window tinting.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that it is a Class A infraction for a person to drive a motor vehicle that has windows treated with sunscreening material or is tinted with material that has total solar reflectance of visible light above the treatment percentage prescribed by law.

  • HB 1409: Local income tax excess balance.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the budget agency to make a supplemental distribution to a county from the county's trust account if the budget agency determines that the balance in the county's trust account exceeds 11% (which is a decrease from 15% under current law) of the certified distributions to be made to the county in a determination year.

  • HB 1411: Speed limit reduction on county streets or highways.

    2023 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that if the county executive of a county determines that the maximum speed permitted is greater or less than reasonable and safe under the conditions found to exist on a street or highway, or part of a street or highway, under the jurisdiction of the county, the county executive may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum limit on the street or highway, or part of the street o

  • HB 1412: Property tax assessment appeals.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that if a taxpayer presents an appraisal to the county property tax assessment board of appeals (county board) that is prepared by a certified appraiser in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, the appraisal is presumed to be correct.

  • HB 1413: Property tax increase limits.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that for each calendar year beginning after December 31, 2023, an annual adjustment of the assessed value of certain real property may not exceed an amount equal to 3% over the assessed value of the real property for the prior tax year.

  • HB 1330: Advanced practice registered nurses.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Removes the requirements that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician.

  • HB 1347: Income tax credit for firearms safety expenses.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides a state income tax credit for expenses incurred to receive qualified firearms instruction or to purchase a qualified firearms storage device.

  • HB 1545: Youth sports and tourism development areas.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows the legislative body of a city to adopt an ordinance establishing a youth sports and tourism development area (tax area).

  • SB 472: Advanced recycling.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "advanced recycling" as a manufacturing process for the conversion of post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks into basic raw materials, feedstocks, chemicals, and other products.

  • HB 1306: Live transmission and archiving of IURC meetings.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Exempts the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) from providing a live transmission of hearings regarding which a stenographic record is required to be made and kept by statute.

  • HB 1307: Sex offenders.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Specifies that a person required to register as a sex offender in another jurisdiction who moves to Indiana is required to register for life in Indiana.

  • HB 1308: Speed limits.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases the maximum speed limit, from 70 to 75 miles per hour, on: (1) a highway on the national system of interstate and defense highways located outside of an urbanized area with a population of at least 50,000; and (2) a highway that is the responsibility of the Indiana finance authority; for a bus or other vehicle that has a gross weight that does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

  • HB 1309: Property tax payments for nonprofit hospitals.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a nonprofit hospital to pay a certain amount to the county treasurer based on the property tax liability that would be due based on the nonprofit hospital's gross assessed value of exempt property if no exemptions were applied, depending on the extent to which the nonprofit hospital's average of aggregate prices charged in a year exceeds the nationwide average of aggregate prices charged

  • HB 1402: Local government permits for shoreline structures.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Amends the law concerning public freshwater lakes to provide that a person who intends to construct a boathouse or any other permanent structure that has both walls and a roof over, along, or lakeward of the shoreline or water line of a public freshwater lake must obtain a construction permit from the local building department of the county or municipality in which the construction would take plac

  • HB 1004: Pension matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment.

  • HB 1059: Advanced practice registered nurses.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician.

  • HB 1090: Transportation matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a conveyance to the state is excepted from the definition of a "conveyance document" requiring a sales disclosure form.

  • HB 1177: Limitations on interests of foreign countries.

    2024 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits the state, a state agency, and a political subdivision from entering into a contract with a prohibited person for the provision of goods or services.

  • HB 1204: Publication of public notices.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows a political subdivision to publish notice in the print or electronic edition of a newspaper or locality newspaper that issues a print edition not more than three times a week.

  • HB 1359: Probate.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Extends insurance coverage on property transferred by a transfer on death transfer following the death of the insured after June 30, 2025, for property and casualty insurance and liability insurance other than title insurance and certain insurance relating to bonds and mortgages.

  • SB 29: Town party conventions.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Specifies the manner of nomination applicable to a candidate for town office in a small town, based on the year in which the election occurs.

  • HB 1134: Executive sessions.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows meetings of a state or local agency governing body concerning the following topics to be held in executive session: (1) Employee health care options with respect to special exceptions to coverage.

  • HB 1135: Real world and finance curriculum grant funds.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the real world readiness grant program (program) to provide grants to eligible schools to better prepare students for life after graduation with or without the assistance of a partnering organization.

  • HB 1137: Expungement of red flag law records.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires a court to expunge certain records related to the red flag law if the court finds that an individual is not dangerous, and permits a court to expunge certain records related to the red flag law if the court finds that an individual previously found dangerous is no longer dangerous.

  • HB 1252: Limitation on cost sharing.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager to apply the annual limitation on cost sharing set forth in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under 42 U.S.C.

  • HB 1434: Alcohol misuse prevention and treatment fund.

    2025 · Authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Changes the name of the addiction services fund to the alcohol misuse prevention and treatment fund (fund) and makes corresponding changes.

  • HB 1435: STEM enrollment.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the board of trustees of each state educational institution (institution) to adopt a policy that prohibits certain foreign students from enrolling in or receiving instruction in a qualifying STEM program offered by the institution.

  • HB 1632: Health care entity mergers.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a health care entity that is involved in a merger or acquisition to disclose additional information.

  • HB 1633: Study of election issues.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the secretary of state to do the following: (1) Study scheduling of local elections and requiring all counties to use vote centers.

  • HB 1687: Probation transfers for sex or violent offenders.

    2025 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Prohibits the transfer of a sex or violent offender's probation jurisdiction to another county in Indiana while the offender is required to register as an offender unless certain conditions are met.

  • HB 1004: Health care matters.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes: (1) a state directed payment program (program) for hospitals; and (2) a managed care assessment fee.

  • HB 1007: Energy generation resources.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides a credit against state tax liability for expenses incurred in the manufacture of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Indiana.

  • HB 1032: Foreign interests.

    2025 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Prohibits a prohibited person from entering into a contract for the provision of goods or services with the state, a state agency, and a political subdivision.

  • HB 1083: Protection of property rights.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "squatter" as an individual who occupies the residential real property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the residential real property; authorizing the individual to occupy the residential real property.

  • HB 1101: Tax deduction and credit for persons 65 or older.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases, for purposes of the deduction for persons 65 or older: (1) the adjusted gross income threshold for an individual from $30,000 to $40,000; (2) the combined adjusted gross income threshold for an individual filing a joint return with the individual's spouse from $40,000 to $50,000; (3) the combined adjusted gross income for an individual and all other individuals that are joint tenants or

  • HB 1189: Protection of property rights.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that under certain circumstances, a residential property owner may obtain the removal of an unauthorized person from the residential property owner's residential real property.

  • HB 1221: Pension matters.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends provisions regarding the surcharge rates established by the Indiana public retirement system to actuarially prefund certain postretirement benefits.

  • HB 1260: Architect or engineer review of public work.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that plans and specifications approved by an architect or engineer are not required for certain public work on a public building.

  • HB 1306: Tax credit for teacher's classroom supplies.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Increases the maximum amount of the income tax credit for an individual employed as a teacher for amounts expended for classroom supplies from $100 to $300 per taxable year.

  • HB 1471: Law enforcement officer impeachment evidence.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the procedure for placing a law enforcement officer's name on a Giglio list.

  • HB 1518: Purchase of vehicles by state entities.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides with certain exceptions, that if a state entity purchases or leases a vehicle, the vehicle: (1) must be a government model, base model, or standard model vehicle; and (2) may not be from a luxury or semi-luxury brand if a nonluxury brand alternative exists that uses the same underlying vehicle platform.

  • HB 1666: Ownership of health care providers.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires reporting of certain ownership information by: (1) a hospital to the Indiana department of health (state department); (2) certain health care entities to the secretary of state; and (3) an insurer, a third party administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager to the department of insurance.

  • SB 355: Municipal elections.

    2025 · Sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Moves, as a general rule, elections of town officers to even-numbered years.

  • HB 1032: Redistricting.

    2026 · Authored · passed the House; defeated on third reading in the Senate

    Allows the general assembly to amend congressional districts at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census.

  • HB 1381: Removal of city or town fiscal officer.

    2026 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Allows the legislative body of a city or town (municipality) to petition a court for removal of the municipality's fiscal officer for any of the following: (1) Charging illegal fees for services.

  • HB 1382: County option gasoline tax.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a county to adopt an ordinance to impose a county option gasoline tax.

  • HB 1384: Nonprofit hospital property taxes.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that real property purchased before July 1, 2026, directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital (other than a critical access hospital or a county hospital) is not exempt from property taxation if, after 10 years from the date of purchase of the property by the nonprofit hospital, the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performa

  • HB 1429: Appraiser statute of limitations.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides with regard to an appraisal or appraisal service performed after June 30, 2026, a civil action against a licensed or certified real estate appraiser or registered appraisal management company must be commenced not later than five years after the appraisal service date.

  • HB 1022: Selection of candidate for lieutenant governor.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a candidate for governor who has been nominated at a primary election or state convention to certify the name of the candidate for lieutenant governor who will run jointly with the candidate for governor at the general election.

  • HB 1066: Purchase and lease of government vehicles.

    2026 · Co-authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    With certain exceptions, requires a political subdivision to procure only base model vehicles.

  • HB 1070: Income tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that an individual who is a volunteer firefighter is entitled to a credit of $200 against the individual's adjusted gross income tax liability each taxable year.

  • HB 1072: Anatomical gifts.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a violation of certain provisions of the uniform anatomical gift act constitutes a deceptive consumer act.

  • HB 1099: Foreign adversaries.

    2026 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that, if a contractor or a subcontractor working under the contractor for the provision of a technological product or service is a prohibited person, a qualified entity may enter into the contract if the contractor affirms the contractor and its subcontractors are not acting as agents of a foreign adversary.

  • HB 1149: Pre-kindergarten care SGO tax credit.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes an early childhood scholarship tax credit for contributions made to a scholarship granting organization that conducts a program to provide scholarships for children who attend a qualified early child care provider.

  • HB 1221: Antique firearms.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that certain requirements regarding the sale, rental, trade, or transfer of a handgun do not apply to an item defined as an antique firearm.

  • HB 1253: Various crimes and child protection.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Adds family case managers to the list of individuals who are designated as Indiana first responders.

  • SB 176: Shooting ranges.

    2026 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the maintenance, repair, renovation, modernization, or expansion of buildings, structures, or facilities used in connection with a shooting range, including improvements to safety, security accessibility, or environmental controls, is a continuation of a permitted use and may not be treated by a local unit of government as: (1) an expansion of a nonconforming use; or (2) a basis to d

  • SB 27: Stadium authority.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the northwest Indiana stadium authority (stadium authority) for the purpose of acquiring and financing certain facilities.

  • SB 85: Health care debt and costs.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Authorizes the attorney general to enforce provisions concerning health care debt wage garnishment and principal residence lien restrictions and establish a complaint process.

How this record was put together, and what it does not show

What we list: 28 bills chosen by a rule that does not look at topic: both state budgets, four bills named in advance, the 2025-26 redistricting bill, and in each session and chamber the 3 bills whose final-passage vote drew the most “nay” votes.

  • Votes reflect party caucus dynamics. Indiana has Republican supermajorities in both chambers, and many floor votes split along party lines; a single vote says little without the bill and its context.
  • Bills often die for procedural reasons, such as no committee hearing or a deadline, and a bill marked “not reported from committee” may have become law inside another bill.
  • A third-reading vote is on the version in front of the chamber at that time; the final version can be very different.
  • Authoring and co-authoring are different: co-authors sign on, often in large numbers, and usually did not write the bill.
  • Attendance counts roll calls on bills and joint resolutions (about 89% of numbered roll calls). “Excused” is an absence the chamber approved; “not voting” means no vote was recorded.

Where Smaltz's record came from

Sources for Smaltz

Joseph Trost

Democratic

Work
Works in concrete construction [14]

The Democratic nominee, a construction worker, according to his campaign [14, 19].

Trost's background

  • Says he has worked "with my hands and on my feet" his whole adult life, including building housing foundations; his campaign says he works in concrete construction [19, 14].
  • Grew up in LaGrange and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University; took part in the Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council and Hoosier Boys State, according to his campaign [19].
  • His campaign lists a mailing address in Avilla [14].

Trost's positions

Data centers

  • Proposes "Placing common sense restrictions on data centers to protect the safety of our water and keep utility costs low" [14].

Economy & jobs

  • Focuses on rural development and incentives to help small businesses, according to his campaign [14]. Says "all Hoosiers deserve the ability to make a decent living" [19].

Veterans

  • Would have dedicated state employees act as liaisons between the V.A. and Hoosier veterans to increase access to benefits [14].

How Trost would run the office

  • His campaign lists economic opportunity, data center restrictions and veteran benefit support as its main issues [14].

How Trost got on the ballot

  • Is listed as the Democratic nominee on the official general-election candidate list [2]. Wikipedia lists no Democratic primary candidate for the district [16]; how he was nominated was not confirmed.

Trost's endorsements and funding

  • His site carries supportive statements from Noble County Democratic chair Kimberly Murphy and two local residents [14].

What we could not find about Trost

  • How Trost reached the ballot (primary or post-primary party caucus) was not confirmed; no news coverage of his nomination was found.
  • No news coverage of his campaign was found.
  • No campaign finance totals were checked.
  • No statement by Trost about Smaltz's record was found on his campaign site [14, 17].

Trost's campaign website

Sources for Trost

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. Ben Smaltz — member page (Indiana House Republicans)
  4. House panel advances Indiana map drawn 'purely for political performance' of GOP (Indiana Capital Chronicle) (Indiana Public Media (WFIU))
  5. Rep. Smaltz's bill to strengthen sex offender relocation rules signed into law (Indiana House Republicans)
  6. Smaltz responds to Indiana Gaming Commission report identifying Auburn as a possible casino site (Indiana House Republicans)
  7. Smaltz issues statement on House Bill 1032 (Indiana House Republicans)
  8. Joseph Trost for Indiana House District 52 (Joseph Trost campaign)
  9. 2024 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  10. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  11. On the Campaign Trail (Joseph Trost campaign)
  12. Indiana House District 52 (The Ballot Brief)
  13. About (Joseph Trost campaign)
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.