SB 251 Summary

• Amends IC 3-8-1-2 to expand who can challenge a candidate's eligibility by allowing any registered voter of the jurisdiction conducting the election to file a challenge, rather than only voters from the specific election district the candidate seeks to represent.

• Requires a challenger to file a sworn statement with the election division or election board questioning the candidate's eligibility and setting forth the factual basis for the challenge.

• Authorizes the election commission or board to determine the validity of candidate filings (declarations of candidacy, write-in declarations, petitions, certificates, and requests for ballot placement) based on constitutional and statutory requirements.

• Prevents multiple eligibility challenges based on substantially the same grounds if a previous challenge was already heard before the candidate's nomination.

• Effective date: July 1, 2013.