Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.
Laws governing ballot measures in Indiana
From Ballotpedia
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in Indiana, including constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.
Explore the links below for more information:
- Types of ballot measures in Indiana
- Amending the Indiana Constitution
- Laws governing local ballot measures in Indiana
- Laws governing recall in Indiana
- Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Indiana
- Campaign finance requirements for Indiana ballot measures
- Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Indiana
Laws governing ballot measures in Indiana
Types of ballot measures in Indiana
- In Indiana, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
- In Indiana, the state legislature can refer constitutional amendments.
Amending the Indiana Constitution
- Indiana became a state in 1816. The current state constitution was ratified in 1851.
- The Indiana Constitution can be amended in one way:
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendment: The Indiana State Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot with a simple majority of each chamber in two successive legislative sessions.
Laws governing local ballot measures in Indiana
- There is no mention of the powers of initiative and referendum in the Indiana Constitution.
Laws governing recall in Indiana
- Indiana does not allow the recall of elected officials.
Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Indiana
- The Indiana Constitution is one of eight state constitutions with no mechanism for calling a convention.
Campaign finance requirements for Indiana ballot measures
- PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Indiana must register and report campaign finance.
Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Indiana
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
- Senate Bill 1: The bill required bond referendums to be placed on general election ballots; changes ballot language requirements for controlled project, school operating, and school public safety referendums.[1]
| SB 1 Vote | Senate | House | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | NV | Yes | No | NV | |
| Total | 37 | 10 | 2 | 65 | 29 | 6 |
| Democratic (D) | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 3 |
| Republican (R) | 35 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 3 | 3 |
- House Bill 1467: The bill prohibited foreign nationals from directly or indirectly making a contribution or expenditure to influence an election on a ballot measure.[2]
| HB 1467 Vote | Senate | House | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | NV | Yes | No | NV | |
| Total | 47 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 4 | 4 |
| Democratic (D) | 8 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 4 | 2 |
| Republican (R) | 39 | 0 | 1 | 68 | 0 | 2 |
See also
Footnotes
