A total of 1,040 candidates filed to run for school board in the 2026 general election. There are 806 school board seats up for election this year.

School board elections in Indiana are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.

School board members are elected to a term of office of four years. Most terms commence on January 1 immediately following the November election.

School boards may be organized via at-large districts, residence districts, and electoral districts. In residence districts, candidates must reside in a specific geographic area, but they are voted on by all residents of the school corporation. In electoral districts, candidates must reside in a specific geographic area, and they are voted on only by residents of that area.