Early voting is underway for the Indiana primary elections, with no education-specific items on the ballot for the May 5 primary election. This change was made after years of unsuccessful attempts to make school board elections partisan, allowing candidates to have a party affiliation but not primary races. Instead, they will choose whether they choose to select a political party, identify as an independent, or be nonpartisan in the general election. The change faced opposition from some who argued it would distract from the school board's duties. While there are no primaries, a candidate's affiliation can be challenged if he hasn't voted in the last two primary elections or receives written certification from the county party chairman that he is a party member. This November will be the first time partisan school board election has been held. There are fewer opportunities for schools to ask voters for tax increases, with school districts now having limited time limits on these proposals due to limitations on timing and funding constraints.