Indiana utility commissioners would need voters’ approval for another term

Voters would decide whether a commissioner may serve another four-year term. This applies to Indiana utility commissioners seeking a term after their current one. A majority of votes cast on that commissioner’s question must be yes. A majority of no votes would leave the seat vacant when the term ends and prevent that commissioner from continuing. If passed, this rule would take effect upon passage. The vote would occur at the general election immediately before the current term ends.

Commissioners seeking another term would file a declaration with the secretary of state. This applies to current Indiana utility commissioners who want to serve another term. The declaration must request a vote on retention and give the commissioner’s permitted ballot name. Without a declaration, the seat becomes vacant when the term ends. The filing deadline would be noon on July 15 before the general election immediately preceding the term’s end.

Election officials would place each retention question on the ballot. The questions concern Indiana utility commissioners who filed to seek another term. A voter who chooses to vote on a commissioner’s retention must mark yes or no. A straight-party vote does not count for this question. The question would appear at the general election immediately before the commissioner’s term ends.