Elections

Straight ticket voting.

Powers and duties of the election commission.

Candidacy documents.

Scanning ballots.

Campaign finance reports of local candidates.

Cancellation of caucus meeting.

Redistricting standards.

Redistricting.

East Chicago school board elections.

Various elections matters.

School board matters.

Study of election issues.

Voter registration.

Article V convention.

State comptroller.

Terms of members of Congress.

Campaign finance.

Oath of ballot counter.

Closed primary elections.

Satellite offices for voting absentee.

Election and duties of the lieutenant governor.

Redistricting standards.

Election of Lake County superior court judges.

Various elections matters.

Use of digitally altered media in elections.

Election security.

School controlled project referendum.

Election of state and federal legislators.

Various election law matters.

Various election law matters.

Local powers concerning elections.

Various elections matters.

Political contributions by a gambling organization.

Electronic voting systems.

Audit of election systems.

Deceased voters.

PAC contributions to school board candidates.

Election of Lake County superior court judges.

Elections.

Various election law matters.

Election computer equipment audit.

Repeals the constitutional provision for drawing legislative districts by the general assembly. Requires the general assembly to establish an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional and legislative districts. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Redistricting.

Various elections matters.

Various elections matters.

A SENATE RESOLUTION declaring that the policy of the State of Indiana is to support the state's sovereign authority to manage, control, and administer its own election laws.

Absentee ballot applications.

Political activity of employees and contractors.

Filling vacancies.

Absentee voting.

Various elections matters.

Redistricting commission.

Withdrawal of candidates.

Municipal elections.

Election cybersecurity.

Miscellaneous election law matters.

Redistricting.

Redistricting commission.

Removable media use by election officials.

Vote by mail municipal elections.

Straight ticket voting.

Absentee voting.

Ranked choice voting.

Voting hours.

Polling locations in schools.

Proof of identification.

Various election law matters. Makes the following changes in election law: (1) Removes provisions relating to candidates for President of the United States filing ballot placement requests with the secretary of state. (2) Provides that the election division annual training conference for county election officials must include information on cybersecurity and physical security practices for the statewide voter registration system, voting systems, and polling places. Requires the attendance of bipartisan board of registration members and permits clerks and board members to designate a number of chief deputies to attend. (3) Specifies that absentee reports generated by the statewide voter registration data base are required to be in a specified format, and may be generated in other formats. (4) Requires a notice to be sent to an applicant whose voter registration application is denied because the acknowledgment card was returned as undeliverable. (5) Authorizes the Indiana election commission to determine the validity of a candidate's nomination for certain offices. (6) Provides that a voter may not change the political party primary ballot that the voter has requested. (7) Establishes a procedure for casting a voter's ballot if the voter does not complete the procedures for casting the voter's ballot on an electronic voting machine or if a voter abandons a paper ballot. (8) Provides that an electronic poll book may not be used at an election if the poll book is delivered to the county election board less than 60 days before the election unless the voting system technical oversight program (VSTOP) has previously authorized in writing to the contrary. (9) Provides that a precinct may not be established if any precinct would have less than 600 active voters except in certain circumstances. (10) Provides that a county election board or a board of elections and registration does not have the power to extend the hours that the polls are open on election day. (11) Establishes standards for issuance of an order by an Indiana court or administrative agency to extend the hour for closing of the polls. Requires that specific findings be made by a court before issuing an order to extend polling place hours and makes other amendments concerning appeals in such cases. (12) Removes the shortened period during which absentee ballots by mail may be sent when a county election board shortens the period during which in-person absentee ballots may be voted. (13) Modifies the procedure for checking sample ballots for compliance with official ballots to make the procedure practical for counties using vote centers. (14) Provides that the state voting system inventory maintained by the VSTOP and any county election board resolution adopting alternative voting system security plans are confidential. (15) Provides that, in Marion County, ballots cast at a vote center are not required to be sorted by precinct unless a recount is requested. (16) Provides that, in Marion County, absentee ballot envelopes may be opened by machine instead of by absentee ballot counters. (17) Provides that, in Marion County, an individual who is: (a) a citizen of the United States; (b) registered to vote in Indiana; and (c) at least 18 years of age; may be appointed to serve as an absentee ballot counter or a courier, if the county election board adopts a resolution by a unanimous vote of its entire membership authorizing the appointment of such individuals. (18) Prohibits a county election board from scanning a voted absentee ballot card using an optical scan ballot scanner before election day, and instead requires that the voted absentee ballot card be placed in a secure envelope until election day. (19) Clarifies that the county fiscal body sets the per diem and mileage rates for all types of absentee board members. (20) Requires a county election board to take certain actions regarding a provisional ballot that is cast by an individual who is registered to vote in an Indiana county other than the county in which the provisional ballot was cast. (21) Requires all counties to count absentee ballots at a central location. (22) Establishes a deadline to file a small town primary ordinance with the county. (23) Provides that certain notice requirements do not apply to an early candidate vacancy filled by a county chairman or by a committee consisting of the county committee's chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer. (24) Sets forth procedures when notice of a resignation was received but timely notice was not provided. (25) Provides that any voter of a school corporation may challenge a candidate for election to the governing body of the school corporation if there is no candidate who is entitled to contest the election of the candidate. (26) Makes various technical changes in election law relating to: (a) ballots; (b) election administration; (c) voter registration; (d) candidates; (e) public questions; (f) polling places; (g) initialing ballots; (h) payment of expenses of the state recount commission; and (i) certification of public questions relating to certain school corporation tax levies. (27) Updates and corrects dates and other references in election law. (28) Repeals several obsolete provisions relating to: (a) preservation of certain documents; (b) election administration; and (c) establishment of a single county executive. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Election security. Requires the secretary of state to refer suspected criminal violations of election law for investigation by the appropriate prosecuting attorney. Establishes an administrative enforcement mechanism for enforcement of election laws other than campaign finance laws. Requires the statewide voter registration file to employ multi-factor authentication to restrict access. Allows a declination to register by the voter in certain circumstances to be used in determining whether a voter's address is current. Requires a communication that includes an absentee ballot application form to state certain information regarding the identity of the sender. Provides for administrative remedies for violations of this requirement. Requires the inspector to record certain data during election day regarding the number of voters waiting to vote. Requires voting system vendors to disclose certain information about foreign nationals who may control or have an ownership interest in the vendor. Specifies procedure for counting of absentee ballots cast on an electronic voting system. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on elections the task of studying the topic of means for verification of voter registration data.

Election cyber security. Defines "VSTOP" (the "voting system technical oversight program") in the election code. Requires the election division to, if a voter registration record does not contain a date of birth or a birth 115 years or more, to request the information from the bureau of motor vehicles. Requires the secretary of state to establish proficiency standards for individuals who are authorized to access the statewide voter registration file. Requires such individuals to meet the proficiency standards in order to access the file. Sets forth requirements to be met before delivery of an electronic poll book. Requires the county election board (rather than the inspectors), teams that meet specified requirements, or commercial delivery entities to deliver voting systems and electronic poll books to precincts and vote centers and sets requirements. Requires counties to consider relevant factors to ensure the security of polling locations. Provides that a county election board is responsible for ensuring that all electronic poll books are dedicated devices to be used only for their intended purpose and for no other activity. Provides that software not needed for the essential purpose of running the electronic poll book may not be installed on an electronic poll book. Revises the procedure for selection of machines of voting systems for testing before an election and sets time frames. Provides that after December 31, 2029, a county may not use an electronic voting system that does not have a voter verifiable paper audit trail. Provides that each application for certification of an electronic poll book must be accompanied by a fee of $1,500. Requires these fees to be deposited in the voting system technical oversight program account. Increases the application fee for certification of voting systems from $1,500 to $5,000. Requires voting system vendors to conduct annual background checks on certain employees. Requires voting system vendors to report certain information relating to malfunctions of the voting systems. Sets forth requirements of correcting a ballot. Adds information required in the VSTOP evaluation report given to the secretary of state for electronic poll books. Adds certain information that must be reported by the vendor of an electronic poll book relating to an anomaly or problem with the electronic poll book. Provides that the following information is confidential: (1) administrative or technical information that would jeopardize a voting system or voter registration system; (2) infrastructure records that disclose the configuration of a voting system or voter registration system critical infrastructure; (3) resolutions adopted by a county election board to establish security protocols for elections systems; and (4) the inventory of voting systems and electronic poll books maintained by the VSTOP. Requires license branches to transmit electronically scanned copies of voter registrations.

Redistricting standards. Establishes redistricting standards for congressional and state legislative districts. Provides that the initial proposed plans for congressional and state legislative districts must comply with the redistricting standards. Allows the general assembly, during the process by which the initial proposed plans become effective by being enacted as a law, to consider and adopt modifications to the initial proposed plans that deviate from the redistricting standards as long as the reason or reasons for each deviation are publicly explained and documented.

Local public questions. Provides that except as otherwise specifically provided by a statute, a local public question may be placed on the ballot only at the following elections: (1) A general election. (2) A municipal general election, but only if the election district for the public question is contained entirely within a municipality. Makes conforming changes.

Voter registration. Provides that an application to obtain or renew a motor vehicle driver's license or permit or an identification card serves as a voter registration application unless the applicant expressly declines on the application to register to vote. Provides that a voter becomes registered to vote when: (1) the county voter registration office determines the voter appears to be eligible to vote at the address on the voter's voter registration application; and (2) the voter receives notice of this determination. Requires a county voter registration office to note that a voter is in inactive status if the notice of voter registration is returned by the United States Postal Service due to an unknown or insufficient address. Eliminates the seven day period during which a voter's voter registration application is considered pending. Removes a requirement for transmission of a paper copy of the voter's application to the county voter registration office.

Redistricting commission. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that the general assembly must meet and enact redistricting plans before October 1 of a redistricting year. Authorizes the general assembly to convene in a session to act on redistricting bills at times other than the times the general assembly is currently authorized to meet. Repeals the current law establishing a redistricting commission for congressional redistricting.

Election signs. Provides that the county executive shall require the owner, lessee, manager, or any other individual or entity that controls a nonpublic building used as a polling place to permit a candidate or an individual designated as a candidate's representative to place signs on the property of the nonpublic building on days when voting occurs on the property.

Voter registration. Requires a county voter registration office (office) to send an address confirmation notice to the Indiana address of a voter whenever the office determines that an individual identified in a report of potentially duplicate voter registration records provided by the NVRA official: (1) is the same individual who is a registered voter of the county; (2) registered to vote in another state on a date following the date that voter registered in Indiana; and (3) has not authorized the cancellation of any previous registration. (Current law requires the county voter registration office to cancel the voter's registration.)

Public questions. Provides that, except as otherwise specifically provided by a statute, a local public question may be placed on the ballot only at the following elections: (1) A general election. (2) A municipal general election. (3) A special election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in a year in which neither a general election nor a municipal general election is held. Makes conforming changes.

Indiana's electoral vote. Provides that allocation of Indiana's electoral votes to the candidate for President of the United States to the winner of the Indiana popular vote does not apply if the "Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote" (agreement) becomes effective. Provides for allocation of Indiana's electoral votes to the national popular vote winner if the agreement becomes effective. Enacts and enters into the agreement.

Absentee voting. Permits a voter who is qualified to vote in person to vote by absentee ballot. Removes all other qualifications for a voter to vote by absentee ballot except for a voter with disabilities who is unable to make a voting mark on the ballot or sign the absentee ballot secrecy envelope. (Such a disabled voter is currently required to vote before an absentee voter board.)

Polling locations in schools. For a general, municipal, primary, school district, or special election conducted after December 31, 2019, prohibits an elementary or secondary school from being designated as a polling place, satellite office, or vote center.

Voter list maintenance. Adds a requirement that the circuit court clerk permanently retain the minutes of all meetings of the county election board. Requires the county voter registration office to scan a paper document that creates, amends, or cancels an individual's voter registration record and attach the scanned image to the voter's file in the computerized list. Codifies current administrative procedures ("confidence factors") used by the Indiana election division to determine which potentially duplicate voter registration records to provide to county voter registration offices to assist the county in determining whether a voter of the county has registered more recently

Election security; absentee ballot counting. Makes the following changes concerning election security: (1) Permits a county election board (board) to apply to the secretary of state (secretary) for reimbursement of expenditures made by the county to secure and monitor facilities where voting systems and electronic poll books are stored. Provides that, if the secretary, with the consent of the election division (division), approves the application, the county may be reimbursed for all or part of the expenditures. (2) Allows each absentee ballot to be assigned a unique tracking number using IMb Tracing or a similar automated tracking method to provide

Residence of individual in state institution. Provides that an individual committed to an institution for individuals with a mental illness may state either of the following, but not both, as the individual's residence for purposes of voting: (1) The address of the institution where the individual has been committed. (2) The address where the individual lives when the individual is not committed to an institution. (Under current law, such an individual does not gain residency in the precinct in which the institution to which the individual is committed is located.)

Redistricting standards. Establishes redistricting standards for congressional and state legislative districts. Provides that the initial proposed plans for congressional and state legislative districts must comply with the redistricting standards. Allows the general assembly, during the process by which the initial proposed plans become effective by being enacted as a law, to consider and adopt modifications to the initial proposed plans that deviate from the redistricting standards as long as the reason or reasons for each deviation are publicly explained and documented.

Ballot access. Reduces the minimum number of votes cast at an election required for certain purposes from 2% of the votes cast in the last election for secretary of state to: (1) 0.5% of the votes cast at the last election for secretary of state; or (2) 0.5% of the total votes cast for any statewide state office or statewide federal office at either of the previous two elections. Repeals the definition of "major political party" and uses instead the designation of a political party eligible to hold a nominating convention. Allows a political party to qualify to nominate candidates

Absentee voting. Permits a voter who is qualified to vote in person to vote by absentee ballot. Removes all other qualifications for a voter to vote by absentee ballot except for a voter with disabilities who is unable to make a voting mark on the ballot or sign the absentee ballot secrecy envelope. (Such a disabled voter is currently required to vote before an absentee voter board.)

Redistricting commission. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Provides for appointment of four commission members by the legislative leadership. Establishes the redistricting commission nominating committee (committee) to receive applications from and evaluate applicants to fill the five remaining positions on the commission. Provides for selection of those five commission members from pools of applicants selected by the committee. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the

Provides that the people of Indiana may propose and adopt amendments to the Constitution of the State of Indiana and propose and enact statutes independent of the General Assembly through initiative. Provides that the people of Indiana may approve or reject through referendum any statute or part of any statute enacted by the General Assembly. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Voting hours. Provides that the polls close at 7 p.m. (Under current law, the polls must close at 6 p.m.)

Absentee voting at satellite offices. Requires a county to establish at least one satellite office in the county for voters to vote by absentee ballot.

Precinct committeemen. Provides that in order for a precinct committeeman or a precinct vice committeeman (exercising the precinct committeeman's proxy) to participate in a caucus to fill a vacancy, the committeeman or vice committeeman must be entitled to vote for the office for which a successor is to be selected in the caucus.

Counting absentee ballots. Repeals the statute that requires Marion County to count absentee ballots at a central location.

Proof of identification. Provides that a document issued by a state university or by an approved postsecondary educational institution serves as proof of identification for purposes of voting if the document otherwise satisfies the requirements for a proof of identification. Provides that such a document is not required to have an expiration date or may have an indefinite expiration date if it otherwise satisfies the requirements for a proof of identification.

Precinct consolidation. Establishes a small precinct committee (committee) in Lake County to determine if precincts in the county that had fewer than 600 active voters as of November 1, 2016, can be combined with one or more adjoining precincts. Requires the committee to establish a proposed plan to consolidate precincts within the county that is consistent with the standards stated in the statute and submit the proposal to the Lake County board of elections and registration (board). Requires the board to adopt a precinct establishment order implementing the committee's plan. Requires the Indiana election commission to adopt a precinct establishment

Various election law matters. Provides for the election of alternate presidential electors to fill vacancies in the office of presidential electors. Requires a nominee for presidential elector or alternate presidential elector to file at the time of nomination or certification a pledge to vote for: (1) the presidential elector's or alternate presidential elector's party nominees for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States; or (2) if the presidential elector or alternate presidential elector is not nominated by a political party, the candidates for President and Vice President on whose behalf the presidential elector or alternate

Unnecessary, unused law reports. Requires every state agency to compile and report to the legislative council a list of all state laws administered by the state agency that the state agency considers to be in need of change because the laws are no longer necessary or used.

Various election matters. Removes a reference to a county executive in the definition of "county voter registration office". Specifies the allocation of municipal and special election administration expenses among a county and the municipalities in the county in vote center counties. Specifies the extended deadline for taking an action or making a filing when a government office is closed. Adds a county voter registration office to the list of offices where filings by fax or electronic mail are not available. Specifies that any petition that requires the county voter registration office to certify the validity of the signatures may not

Government ethics and procurement of certain services. Requires a political subdivision to comply with certain procedures when acquiring the services of architects, engineers, and land surveyors. (Under current law, the procedures are not mandatory.) Requires a public agency awarding a contract for the services of architects, engineers, and land surveyors to publicly post, for each firm that submits a statement of qualifications for a project, the public agency's evaluation of the firm for the project. Provides that a firm may not make a contribution to an individual who holds an elected office of the political subdivision awarding a contract for

Vote centers. Provides that the adoption, rescission, or amendment of a vote center plan may be taken by a majority vote of all members of a county election board. (Current law requires such action to be taken by the unanimous vote of a county election board.) Provides that if all of the members of a county election board do not agree on the location of the vote centers, each member of the county election board (or board of elections and registration) is entitled to designate an equal number of locations of the vote centers. Urges the legislative council to establish

Ballot access. Changes the number of voters required to sign a petition of nomination for a ticket for President and Vice President of the United States, the office of United States Senator, or a ticket for governor and lieutenant governor of a minor political party or an independent candidate from at least the number of voters equal to 2% of the total vote cast at the election for secretary of state to at least 4,500 voters (500 from each congressional district). Reduces from 2% to 0.5% the minimum number of votes cast at the election for secretary of state required

Appointed superintendent of public instruction. Provides that, after January 10, 2021, the state superintendent of public instruction is to be appointed by the governor. Repeals a provision that a candidate for the office of state superintendent of public instruction must have resided in Indiana for at least two years. Makes conforming and technical amendments.

Redistricting. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana does not require the general assembly to establish legislative districts, the commission's recommendations for legislative plans define those districts. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana requires the general assembly to

Vacancies in local offices. Provides that if a caucus has not filled a vacancy in certain local offices before 45 days after the vacancy occurs or, if the vacancy is due to the death of the officeholder, after the county chairman has received notice of the death of the officeholder, the vacancy shall be filled by: (1) the remaining members of the body in which the vacancy occurs, if the body consists of three or more members; (2) the legislative body of the political subdivision, if the vacancy occurs in the executive of the political subdivision (except as provided in

Regulation of signage at polling locations. Provides that the county executive shall require that the owner, lessee, or manager or any other individual or entity that controls a public building used as a polling place shall permit a candidate or an individual designated as a candidate's representative to place signs on the property of the public building from 6 a.m. the day before an election until 6 p.m. the day after an election. Provides that the county executive shall require that the owner, lessee, or manager or any other individual or entity that controls a nonpublic building used as a

Redistricting commission. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that the general assembly must meet and enact redistricting plans before October 1 of a redistricting year. Authorizes the general assembly to convene in a session to act on redistricting bills at times other than the times the general assembly is currently

Voter registration and other voting matters. Provides that a county election board (board) may adopt a resolution by a vote of a majority of the members of the board to provide that the polls close at any time after 6 p.m. and not later than 8 p.m. on election day. Allows a board to adopt a resolution by the majority vote of the board's entire membership in order to establish satellite locations for early voting. (Currently, a resolution to establish satellite voting locations must be adopted unanimously by the board.) Provides that a voter may apply for permanent absentee voter

Satellite voting. Allows a county election board to adopt a resolution by the majority vote of the board's entire membership in order to establish satellite locations for early voting. (Currently, a resolution to establish satellite voting locations must be adopted unanimously by the board.)

Consular identification. Requires a state agency, a political subdivision, or an employee of a state agency or political subdivision to accept a consular identification document submitted by an individual as valid identification of the individual in most situations. Provides that a consular identification document may not be accepted: (1) from an individual registering to vote or obtaining a driver's license; (2) when acceptance is not permitted under federal law; or (3) when acceptance would jeopardize funding from a particular source. Provides that information collected from or appearing on a consular identification document is subject to the same privacy protections and

Prescribes ballot language. Prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.

Vacancies in local offices. Provides that if a caucus has not filled a vacancy in certain local offices before 45 days after the vacancy occurred or, if the vacancy is due to the death of the officeholder, the county chairman has received notice of the death of the officeholder, the vacancy shall be filled by: (1) the remaining members of the body if the body consists of three or more members; (2) the legislative body of the political subdivision if the vacancy occurs in the executive of the political subdivision (except as provided in (1)); and (3) the executive of

Referendum levies. Provides that a referendum on a controlled project may be held only at a general election, if the preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the controlled project is made after June 30, 2016. Requires a political subdivision that intends to hold a referendum on a controlled project to post examples on the Internet web site of the department of local government finance (department) that illustrate the effect on the annual property tax liabilities of hypothetical taxpayers if the referendum question were to be approved. Provides that a referendum for a referendum tax levy

Transmission of overseas and other ballots. Requires each circuit court clerk to certify either of the following on the forty-third day before a primary, general, or special election: (1) The county election board has sent an absentee ballot to each absent uniformed services voter, overseas voter, and address confidentiality program participant who has applied for an absentee ballot not later than 45 days before the election. (2) If (1) does not apply, the reason that an absentee ballot has not been sent to each of those voters and the steps that have been, or will be, taken to send absentee

Voter registration and other voting matters. Provides that a county election board (board) may adopt a resolution by a vote of a majority of the members of the board to provide that the polls close at any time after 6 p.m. and not later than 8 p.m. on election day. Allows a board to adopt a resolution by the majority vote of the board's entire membership in order to establish satellite locations for early voting. (Currently, a resolution to establish satellite voting locations must be adopted unanimously by the board.) Provides that a voter may apply for permanent absentee voter

State controller. Establishes the office of state controller, beginning January 1, 2023. Provides for transition of the powers and duties of the auditor of state and the treasurer of state to the state controller. Provides for expiration of statutes relating to the powers and duties of the auditor of state and the treasurer of state on January 1, 2023.

Political activity on homeowners association property. Provides that the statute that prohibits a homeowners association from adopting or enforcing a rule or covenant that prohibits candidates and officeholders from entering the property to conduct political activity does not apply to homeowners association property if: (1) access to the property from the outside is controlled; and (2) the common areas, including roads and sidewalks, are privately owned and maintained.

Redistricting plans. Establishes the special interim study committee on redistricting to evaluate the benefits of and the issues that would need to be addressed if a change in the method for establishing districts for the election of members of the general assembly and members of Congress from Indiana were made, including establishment of a redistricting commission.

Precinct election officers. Provides that a county election board, by a resolution adopted by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board, may provide that one individual may serve as inspector for more than one precinct located at the same polling place.

Eligibility to vote for political party officers. Provides that an individual who will meet the age and residency requirements on the date of the next general, municipal, or special election may vote for precinct committeeman and state convention delegate elected at a primary election.

Antidiscrimination safeguards. Indicates that the law related to adjudicating a claim or defense that a state or local law, ordinance, or other action substantially burdens the exercise of religion of a person: (1) does not authorize a provider to refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public; (2) does not establish a defense to a civil action or criminal prosecution for refusal by a provider to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members

Election workers. Eliminates a restriction prohibiting a nephew or niece of a candidate from serving as: (1) a precinct election officer; (2) a member of an absentee voter board; (3) an absentee ballot counter; or (4) an absentee ballot courier.

County assessors. Provides that a candidate for county assessor who held the office on May 1 of the election year must have attained the certification of a level three assessor-appraiser before taking office. Provides that a candidate for county assessor who did not hold the office on May 1 of the election year must have attained the certification of a level two assessor-appraiser before taking office.

Voter identification number. Requires an application for an absentee ballot to instruct a voter that the voter must provide the voter's voter identification number on the application. Requires that the form must inform the voter that the voter can access the online statewide voter registration system or call a telephone number provided on the form to find the voter's voter identification number. Requires that the online voter registration system must enable a voter (regardless of how the voter registered to vote) to recover the voter's voter identification number. Requires the secretary of state to mail to each Indiana voter during

Recounts and contests. Requires that, after December 31, 2015, the words "absentee ballot" be printed in prominent type with uniform capital letters at the top of every absentee ballot prepared and printed by a county election board. Eliminates the requirement that the third member of a recount commission be a mechanic. Requires that all: (1) contracts or leases for the sale or lease of; or (2) service contracts for preelection and election day maintenance or support of; voting equipment, systems, or software entered into, amended, or renewed after December 31, 2015, must include a provision that requires the vendor or

Absentee voter proof of identification. Requires an individual submitting an absentee ballot application, except an individual voting in the office of the circuit court clerk or at a satellite office, an absent uniformed services voter, or an overseas voter, to provide proof of identification to a notary public and submit a copy of the proof of identification with the absentee ballot application. Requires the notary public to certify that the proof of identification provided to the notary public is proof of identification for the individual signing the absentee ballot application. Repeals a provision that exempts an absentee voter from providing

Volunteer firefighters holding elected office. Removes provisions that prohibit volunteer firefighters from assuming or holding certain elected offices.

Redistricting commission. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the legislative services agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Requires the general assembly to meet and to enact redistricting plans for general assembly districts before October 1 of a redistricting year. Provides that the commission's plan for congressional districts becomes the congressional district plan when adopted by the commission unless the

Elected school board members. Provides that the elected members of the governing body of certain school corporations are elected on a partisan basis, beginning after December 31, 2014. Makes conforming changes to related sections.

Various election law matters.

Various election law matters.

Voting systems.

Redistricting.

Elected school board members.

Straight ticket voting.

Election matters.

Write-in candidates.

Various election law matters.

Election matters.

Regional water, sewage, and solid waste districts.

Study on the topic of straight ticket voting.

Registration of discharged offenders.

Candidate eligibility.

Redistricting commission.

Electronic voting systems.

Straight ticket voting.

Challenges to a candidate's eligibility.

Precinct committeemen.

Redistricting.