Where to Find Local Data: The U.S. Religion Census
Gemini:
The most comprehensive source for county-level data is the U.S. Religion Census, which is compiled every 10 years by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB) and hosted online by the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA).
Rather than polling individuals, this study gathers membership numbers directly from congregations and religious bodies.
Brown County, Indiana Religious Affiliation Data
According to the most recent data (2020), Brown County had an official population of 15,475. Out of that total, 4,556 individuals (or 29.4%) were reported as active adherents/members of a specific local congregation. The remaining 70.6% are considered religiously unaffiliated or attend services outside documented county lines.
The breakdown of the largest participating religious groups in Brown County includes:
Deadlines: The deadline to submit needed signatures to run as an INDEPENDENT is noon, June 30, 2026. The county clerk can provide the forms and identify the number of required signatures, including other filing deadlines.
Phone: 812-988-5510
Location: Court House, 20 E Main Street, Nashville, IN 47448
Gemini Prompt: Is there a website that provides information about the “Lincoln Party?”
Gemini Reply:
The Lincoln Party is a newly formed political entity in Indiana, created specifically for former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s 2026 campaign for Indiana Secretary of State.
While there is currently no standalone, permanent website for the “Lincoln Party” itself, you can find information regarding its platform and the campaign through the following resources:
Official Campaign Information
Greg Ballard Campaign: As the party’s founder and primary candidate, information about the Lincoln Party’s mission—focused on providing an “independent voice” and moving away from “toxic” partisan politics—is primarily disseminated through Ballard’s campaign communications.
Ballard’s Social Media: The campaign often uses social media platforms to coordinate the 37,000 signatures required by June 30, 2026, to secure a spot on the ballot under this new label.
News and Analysis
Because the party is in its “nascent” stage and technically won’t be fully established as an official party until it meets vote thresholds in the November election, local news outlets are the best source for current details:
The Indiana Citizen provides a detailed breakdown of why the party was named after Lincoln and the procedural benefits it would offer future candidates.
WFYI News maintains a tag for “Lincoln Party” stories, including interviews with political science experts about the party’s potential impact on the 2026 landscape.
Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) offers frequent updates on the signature collection progress and the party’s visibility in the current election cycle.
Key Facts About the Lincoln Party
Purpose: It was created to allow Ballard to run with a partisan-style label (as a “partisan affiliate”) rather than just a “true independent,” which helps with ballot visibility.
Future Impact: If Ballard receives at least 2% of the vote in the November 3, 2026, election, the Lincoln Party will become an officially recognized party in Indiana.This would allow future candidates to run under the label without the “onerous” requirement of collecting thousands of signatures.
Ideology: Ballard describes the party as a home for “Republicans of the old age” and independent-minded voters who feel the two major parties are currently “broken.” 1
Interview: Political science professor on Greg Ballard’s run and the ‘Lincoln Party’ – WFYI
🚨 OFFICIAL: Nashville, Indiana has been recognized as an IMBA Trail Town 🚨
This is a huge moment for our trails, our community, and everyone who’s been part of building something special here. More to come, because this impacts YOU!
Stay tuned 👀
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating, enhancing, and preserving great mountain biking experiences. An IMBA Trail Town is a community recognized for its exceptional commitment to building, maintaining, and celebrating trail systems, integrating trails into daily life and culture.
Backstory. The Administrative Agreement for the Music Center states that 75% of the excess revenue from the Music Center (if permitted by law), is to be donated to the Brown County Community Foundation. The county receives 25% and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) of $65k.
The current Commissioners requested a change last year to a 50/50 distribution with the proceeds to be used to finance unfunded infrastructure costs, with a priority on bridges and roads.
Taxpayers are at Risk for the venue. For example, as a result of the economic downturn due to COVID, the federal taxpayers provided a subsidy of $2.7 million, and the county another $239K.
The Commissioners’ 50/50 proposal was not acceptable to the majority of the seven-member Music Center Management Board. The board includes one commissioner (Sanders) and one councilman (Byrd). The Foundation also supports maintaining the current agreement.
At their Oct 21, 2025, meeting, Council members also stated they support the current arrangement, except for Scott Rudd, who did not commit to a specific position.
Although the 75/25 agreement (if permitted by law) is legally questionable, amending the agreement requires a majority vote by the commissioners and the music center management board. The council if necessary, would also need to support any legal costs to confirm legality. The council would be involved if there was a desire for a new agreement rather than an amended one.
Commissioner Sanders has proposed selling the venue as an option to eliminate risk and help fund infrastructure costs, but additional research indicates this was not a feasible option.
The commissioners and council meet twice a month. The meeting schedule is posted on the county website. Their meetings are also streamed. Commissioners’ email: commissioners@browncounty-in.gov
Four out of five Hoosiers can’t run as Republicans or Democrats due to a state law (HEA 1365, 2021) the parties passed, according to a 2025 report from the nonpartisan group, Independent Indiana.
Yet Hoosiers are paying an average of $10 million for Primary Elections.
Indiana taxpayers shouldn’t be funding a system that excludes most Hoosiers from running.
Bayh led the field, raising more than $620,000 and ending the opening quarter with $1.97 million on hand. Morales followed, bringing in more than $107,000 in donations and having $1.20 million in his campaign coffers.
Blythe Potter, who is vying for the Democratic nomination, ended the quarter by topping $20,000.
David Shelton, Knox County clerk, and Jamie Reitenour, the other Republicans challenging Morales for the GOP nomination, had about $3,700 and $2,900 on hand, respectively, at the close of the first quarter.
Lauri Shillings, Libertarian candidate, ended the quarter with more than $12,000 in her campaign fund.
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is establishing a new political party as he prepares to launch his campaign for Indiana secretary of state.
Ballard announced on March 3 that he was entering the secretary of state race as an independent. However, the campaign has recently announced that the former Republican mayor will be running as a candidate for the statewide office as a member of the newly formed Lincoln Party.
Former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced his run for Indiana secretary of state as an independent, aiming to provide a nonpartisan option for voters.
Ballard will need to gather nearly 37,000 petition signatures and raise around $2 million to be competitive in the race, which will be the top statewide race on the Indiana ballot this year.
A recent poll conducted by Independent Indiana showed Ballard with support from nearly one-quarter of voters in a hypothetical matchup against the Republican and Democratic nominees, indicating a potentially tight three-way race.
Ballard is framing his run as an independent, but a campaign spokesperson said he will affiliate with a yet-to-be-named political party with the intent of unlocking ballot access for Hoosiers who feel disillusioned with the country’s two major parties
The survey, conducted by InAct, LLC from October 24–November 1, 2025, polled 400 likely Indiana general election voters. The margin of sampling error is ±4.9% at the 95% confidence level.
The data show that Ballard would begin a three-way race in an immediately competitive position.
Feb 9, 2026 If you’ve never heard of Mountain TeaStateForest, you’re not alone; even many locals don’t realize it exists. Quietly tucked into a remote corner of Brown County and only officially named a stateforest in 2020, Mt. Tea is one of Indiana’s most recent public land additions. I checked it out partly out of curiosity and partly because I love finding lesser-known places to hike. What I …
MountainTeaStateForest is a beautiful natural area located in the southern part of Indiana. The forest covers an area of 1,200 acres and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The forest is situated in the rolling hills of the Hoosier National Forest, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. One of the main …
For access to the lake area at Mt. TeaStateForest: take first right past gate then follow path towards cabin before curving left towards the lake; expect obstacles like downed trees to navigate Wear long pants while hiking due to limited foot traffic and potential encounters with hunters or rattlesnakes
Nestled in the heart of Indiana, Mt. TeaStateForest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, drawing visitors with its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. The forest is characterized by its rolling hills, vibrant flora, and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for hiking, birdwatching, and simply soaking in the beauty of nature.
Feb 21, 2025 Exploring Mountain TeaStateForest on foot is a delightful way to connect with nature. To help you make the most of your adventures, we’ve compiled the top easy hikes and walks in Mountain TeaStateForest. Perfect for short hikes, kid-friendly excursions, and family-friendly outings, …
Mountain TeaStateForest is a popular dog friendly hike in Nashville. Visit Bring Fido for an overview of the trail, along with pictures, directions, and reviews from dog owners who’ve been there.
Both the Democratic and Republican appointees on the Election Board reinforced that their Party is a private entity (a club) that can decide who can be on its ballot. They can create “any” criteria they want and expect a “county government” election board to enforce their decision.
Sure, it’s “possible” an individual can run and win as an independent in the general election, which, in our current system, is equivalent to telling someone to buy a lottery ticket if they want more money.
When is the centralization or monopoly of political power ever a good thing? The two-party system in the county is not leading to attracting the best candidates for the available offices. In fact, the system likely deters qualified people from getting involved at all.
An option is to move to recruit and support Independent candidates that focus on county interests over party interests.
Candidate Challenge: Election Board Hearing, Feb 19, 2026
The board upheld the challenge to Republican candidates Rich Stanley and Sherrie Mitchell and removed them from the primary ballot.
Rich Stanley plans to challenge the Election Board’s decision in circuit court. This legal step is necessary to build a case—if required—for a potential hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding alleged violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. (1)
The Election Board’s position supports the fact that political parties are considered private entities or clubs and do not need to provide justification when removing a candidate from their ballot. This position has been supported by federal and state courts.
Individuals can still run as Independents if they meet requirements established by both the parties and the state. In practice, winning as an Independent is similar to trying to get rich by buying a lottery ticket.
Justification? The irony is that Rich was removed from the Republican ballot because of his wife’s donation at a fundraiser for Independent candidate Greg Taggart. But the underlying reason was most likely his criticism of Mark Bowman’s leadership as Party Chair.
Taggart’s fundraiser was supported by leaders in the Republican Party despite concerns that it violated Rule 1-25. The precedent is that county partys’ within the state have banned candidates for up to 10 years for violating this rule. At a 2024 League of Women Voters forum, Taggart publicly stated that he was not a Republican and was defeated in the general election by Tim Clark, the Republican candidate.
Rule 1-25 states: “The term “Republican in Good-Standing” shall be defined as a Republican who supports Republican nominees and who does not actively or openly support another candidate against a Republican nominee.”
Those in attendance at the 2024 fundraiser who are on the 2026 primary Republican ballot include:
Scott Rudd (Commissioner)
Pearletta Banks (Clerk)
Greg Taggart (Washington Township Trustee)
Party leaders reportedly supporting the fundraiser included: Robyn Bowman (Vice Chair) and Tanner Bowman (Secretary). Mark Bowman is the Party Chair.
Rule 1-25, in practice, can be overridden by “unwritten rules.” The written rules may be selectively applied—enforced for some and ignored for others.
The “unwritten rules” described by Republican Party leadership include the fact that Individuals may be deemed in “bad standing,” and therefore ineligible to run as Republicans, for criticizing party officials, previously supporting (no time limit) a non-Republican candidate, or for other perceived infractions.
Checks and balances on power are meant to come from Precinct and Vice Precinct Committee members—but these positions can be appointed by the Party Chair. Vacancies may also remain unfilled, potentially limiting opposition. History shows that centralized power can erode trust and accountability over time. Obtaining a list of the Precinct and Vice Precinct committee members has required signing a non-disclosure agreement.
The cost? A monopoly on political power such as exists in Brown County, reduces competition, can contribute to waste, inefficiencies, and moral corruption, and can limit the number of people that want to be involved in county government. Moral corruption refers to the decline of ethical standards and principles, leading individuals or political clubs to engage in immoral or unethical behavior.
A system perceived as corrupt risks undermining the ethics and integrity of those who operate within it—sometimes without them even realizing it.
A Way Ahead?
Organizations like Independent Indiana (IndependentIndiana.org) are working to challenge the system by supporting independent candidates. The belief is that independent candidates may be more focused on serving their communities rather than party structures or special interests. America’s Founding Fathers warned that political factions could become contrary to the intent of the Constitution.
The Brown County Leader Network (browncountyleadernetwork.com) also introduces methods and tools for improving systems and supporting structural reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and improving performance.
The challenge isn’t just about one candidate—it’s about fairness, transparency, and the future of representative government.
Footnotes:
Rich Stanley, along with Tim Clark, is challenging a previous ruling that they are not in Good Standing with the party and cannot run as Republicans for five years. This decision was challenged in federal court, which ruled in favor of the Party and is also being challenged.
Clark, Stanley lawsuit dismissed in federal court, Brown County Democrat. “Clark and Stanley have now formally appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, asking the higher court to reverse the decision and allow their case to proceed.”
“There’s simply too much division,” Clere (R) said. “Partisanship is a big part of what’s driving it. We need to move away from that and try to find ways to come together as elected officials and unite our constituents, our communities.”
Indiana is one of just six states that allow straight-ticket voting, along with Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma and South Carolina, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
While the General Assembly partially eliminated the practice in 2016 by abolishing straight-ticket voting for at-large races, lawmakers and election experts say the resulting hybrid system has only added confusion.
“Voters don’t always understand that they still have to select individual candidates for at-large races when they vote straight ticket,” Clere said. “So they choose not to vote at all.”
Clere, now in his ninth term, said he has authored or co-authored versions of the bill multiple times, first filing it jointly in 2023 with former Rep. Rita Fleming, D-Jeffersonville. He said the issue has only grown more urgent as political divisions have intensified.
Brown County Commissioner Tim Clark said he does not have any comment to provide at this time; he said he is in the process of collecting and analyzing data to better understand the challenges the departments are facing. Nashville Town Manager Sandie Jones declined a request for interview
The discussion then shifted to the county’s long-delayed comprehensive plan, where it became clear there is still uncertainty about how to move forward. Commission members said they have been working on a draft plan for years, but county commissioners have indicated they want changes and more public input before adopting it. That has left the process in limbo, with no final document in place to guide zoning decisions. Some members expressed frustration that the work already completed may not be enough on its own.
Several members also emphasized that the commissioners appear to want broader public involvement and potentially a revised version of the plan, rather than simply adopting the draft as written. A joint meeting between the plan commission and county commissioners is now scheduled for next month to discuss next steps and determine whether the existing draft will be revised or replaced altogether. That will be the only item on the Plan Commission’s next agenda in April.
Andi Rogers-Bartels, who owns multiple restaurants, rental properties and retail spaces in Nashville, said she wanted to serve on the CVC to help ensure tourism dollars are used in ways that benefit both visitors and residents. She pointed to the recent increase in the innkeeper’s tax and said, “It’s going to be an important year with the new three percent raise in the tax. We really need to figure out what we as a community want and what we can do with that extra three percent.” She cautioned against simply shifting entire budgets between departments, telling the council, “It can’t just be a whole move of the budget from one entity to another. It’s got to be dissected and looked at a little closer.”
Jan 13, 2026. County Council Meeting (Jan 8, 2026). County Council rehashes 2026 budget after process breakdowns, January 13, 2026 by Courtney Hughett.
From 2012 to 2018, residential assessed values increased by less than 4% per year. But beginning in 2019, annual increases exceeded 8%, fueled largely by rapid growth in home market values that far outpaced other property types. As market values surged, the property tax burden shifted disproportionately onto homeowners.
To rebalance the system, SEA 1 phases in an increase to the homeowners’ deduction, ultimately allowing homeowners to deduct 67% of their home’s market value by 2031. At that point, homeowners will pay taxes on only 33% of their home’s assessed value. This phased-in change will gradually shift some of the tax burden back to other property classes, restoring balance to the system.
Commissioner Meeting Agendas: You can sign up at the county website to have these sent to you via email. They are generally available the day before the meetings. Commissioners meet every first Wednesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. and on the third Wednesday at 6:00 pm.
Brown County Democrat Newspaper.Publishes government meeting schedules. Reporter Courtney Hughett provides extensive coverage of what was discussed.
Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI tools like Google Gemini can be used to provide analysis and summaries of the meetings. The tool can also inform you of how to prompt for the information you are requesting.
