By comparison, there were just 993 valid write-in votes cast for presidential candidates four years ago across the entire state, according to Matthew Kochevar, co-legal counsel with the election division of the Indiana secretary of state’s office.

This year’s final numbers are not expected to be ready for release until after Thanksgiving, he said.

Downs said he does not see this year’s strong third-party turnout as the start of an upward trend.

There are several reasons for this, he said, including the presence of significant legal obstacles in the way for third-party candidates. Third parties may be able to build from the local level, he said, but, “That’s a long game.”

Voters also want to back a winner, which leads to voting for the “lesser of two evils,” Downs said. The two major political parties have also become good at incorporating popular issues rallied by third-party candidates, he said.

Libertarians were the only third party to make it on to the ballot for the presidential race in Indiana.