IndianaIndiana voters must mark candidates in school and some local races
Starting January 1, 2027, voters must mark each candidate they choose in school board and certain multi-seat local races, where straight-party votes do not count.
What it does
Voters must mark each candidate they choose in school board races and certain multi-seat local races. A straight-party vote does not count for those candidates.
When a voter marks a straight-party ticket and chooses a different candidate for a single-seat office, officials count that candidate's vote for the office. The party vote may still count for other offices.
Argument forReminders that straight-party votes do not count in these races could help voters avoid leaving their preferred candidates unmarked.
Argument againstVoters could take longer to fill out school board and some local races because they must mark each candidate they choose.
More detail
Voters must mark each candidate they choose in school board races and certain multi-seat local races. This applies to school board offices and multi-seat at-large offices on county councils, city common councils, town councils, and township boards. A straight-party vote does not count for candidates in these races. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
For a single-seat office, election officials count an individual vote for a candidate from another party, an independent candidate, or a declared write-in candidate instead of the straight-party vote for that office. This applies when a voter marks a straight-party ticket and also marks one individual candidate for a single-seat office. The straight-party vote may still count for other offices on the ballot. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 4Public Law 99Major
- Feb 27Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 26Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 25House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 383: yeas 69, nays 27
- Vote recorded HB 1377 - Payne. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Returned to the House with amendmentsMinor
- Feb 25Motion to concur filedMinor
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 260: yeas 39, nays 9Passed Senate
- Vote recorded HB 1377 - Johnson T - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Senator Alexander added as second sponsor
- Feb 19Amendment #1 (Johnson T) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Feb 19Amendment #3 (Hunley) failed; voice voteMajor
- Feb 19Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 16Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 27First reading: referred to Committee on ElectionsMinor
- Jan 23Referred to the SenateMinor
- Jan 22Third reading: passed; Roll Call 82: yeas 71, nays 20Passed House
- Vote recorded HB 1377 - Payne - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Senate sponsor: Senator Johnson T
- Jan 20Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 20Representatives Lawson, Prescott added as coauthors
- Jan 20Amendment #1 (Payne) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 15Representative Wesco added as coauthor
- Jan 14Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and ApportionmentMinor
- Jan 8Authored by Representative PayneIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting