Indiana voters would elect five utility commissioners in 2026

Indiana voters would elect five utility commissioners in nonpartisan races. This covers all five seats on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The committee that nominates commissioners for appointment would be repealed on November 3, 2026. The first election would be the 2026 general election, with elections every four years after that. Current appointees’ terms would end November 3, 2026.

Candidates would have to meet residency and utility conflict rules and file a statement of their financial interests. These rules cover people running for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Candidates must have lived in Indiana for at least one year before the election. They could not have work ties, own shares, or have a financial stake in a utility or someone with an interest in one. Candidates would file the financial statement before filing their candidacy papers.

Candidates and their campaign committees could not seek or accept the covered donations. The covered utilities include public and city-owned utilities and certain electric cooperatives, even when the commission does not set their rates. The ban covers donations from utilities and from people or businesses tied to or able to control a utility. The ban would last throughout a candidate’s campaign for the commission.

The remaining commissioners would appoint someone to fill a vacant seat. This applies to a vacant seat on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The commission would adopt rules for these appointments. This appointment rule would apply to vacancies after November 2, 2026.