accessIndiana

1998 Indiana Election Legislation Summary

Prepared by J. Bradley King, Co-General Counsel
Indiana Election Division
Office of the Secretary of State

This document summarizes the election-related legislation that passed the Indiana General Assembly and became law in 1998. Bills and joint resolutions may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Information Center at 200 W Washington St Ste 230, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2731; (317) 232-9856, or by downloading documents from the Access Indiana homepage: www.ai.org/legislative.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Filing Requirements:
A campaign finance report that is mailed must be postmarked not later than noon seven days after the date of the report. (Former law contained a technical conflict setting this date at "seven (5)" days after the deadline for completing the report. (IC 3-9-5-7) 

Campaign Funds:
A committee may invest contributions in an account with a savings association. (IC 3-9-3-4)

Political Action Committees:
A political action committee includes an organization that is not an auxiliary party organization, a legislative caucus committee, a regular party committee, or a candidate's committee, and which satisfies other criteria set forth in statute. (Former law contained a technical tabulation error in this definition.) (IC 3-5-2-37) 
 

CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGNING

Libertarian Party candidate vacancies:
When a candidate vacancy exists on the Libertarian Party ticket following the party's state convention (other than for the reason that the convention failed to nominate a candidate for the office), the vacancy shall be filled by the party's state committee. The state chairman of the party shall file a certificate designating the successor candidate not more than three days (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) following the selection of the candidate. (IC 3-13-1-20)
 

OFFICEHOLDERS

State Police Department Employees:
An employee of the Indiana state police department may serve in a part-time local elected office if the employee complies with state ethics statutes and the rules and employee policies of the state police department. (IC 10-1-1-4)

Removal from Office:
The statutes providing for the removal of an elected official from office upon the filing of an "information" by a prosecuting attorney have been repealed and recodified. (IC 34-1-59; IC 34-17.)
 

POLITICAL PARTIES

The statute requiring certain housing owners to maintain a list of residents for polltakers was amended to correct a cross reference to the infraction enforcement procedure. (IC 3-6-11-7)
 

POLLING PLACES AND PRECINCT WORKERS

Political Party Watchers:
A political party watcher who obstructs or interferes with the ordering or setting of a voting machine, or who does not remain silent and subject to the orders of the precinct election board, commits a Class D felony. (IC 3-14-3-3)

Challengers and Pollbook Holders:
Challengers and pollbook holders are entitled to stand at the sides of the chute next to the entrance to the polls. (IC 3-11-8-6)
 

REGISTRATION

Additional "Full Service" Voter Registration Office Employees:
An employee of a "full service" voter registration office shall assist each individual who wishes to apply for voter registration, unless the individual refuses assistance. (IC 3-7-18-8)

 

Hearings on NVRA Violations:
The chairman of the Indiana election commission shall convene a hearing on an alleged violation of the National Voter Registration Act not later than thirty days after requested to do so by a commission member. (IC 3-7-11-10)
 

Voter Registration Applications:
A registration application used in an additional "full service" voter registration office must comply with federal law. (IC 3-7-31-4)
 

SPECIAL ELECTIONS, SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS, AND REFERENDA   Town Marshal Referendum Abolished:
A town council may adopt an ordinance to abolish the office of town marshal and establish in its place a board of metropolitan police commissioners. (Former law required approval of this action by the voters of the town.) (IC 36-8-9-2)