What's on your ballot, Indiana.

What changesIn 2023 and 2025 the General Assembly adopted a joint resolution proposing to amend Article 1, Section 17 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana to change the standard for who is eligible for bail after being charged with a crime. The amendment would allow the court to restrict bail to a person charged with a crime when the accused poses a substantial risk to any other person or the community. An offense other than murder or treason shall not be bailable if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community. This proposed amendment has been agreed to by the 123 and 124 General Assembly. Therefore, the next step to amend the state constitution is to submit the proposed amendment to the state’s voters for ratification. The amendment will take effect if ratified by a majority of the state’s voters voting on the amendment as a public question on the ballot at the November 3, 2026, general election.

What it does“Public Question #2 Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to permit the judge of a city or town court to reside in: (1) the county in which the court is located; or (2) the bordering county closest to the city or town in which the court is located? (This question concerns Article 6, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana.)”

What changesIn 2023 and 2025 the General Assembly adopted a joint resolution proposing to amend Article 6, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana to allow a judge of a city or town court to live in the county where the court is located or the bordering Indiana county that is the closest Indiana county to the city or town in which the court is located, calculated by measuring the shortest distance from the city or town limits to the county line. This proposed amendment has been agreed to by the 123 and 124 General Assembly. Therefore, the next step to amend the state constitution is to submit the proposed amendment to the state’s voters for ratification. The amendment will take effect if ratified by a majority of the state's voters voting on the amendment as a public question on the ballot at the November 3, 2026, general election.