summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Closed primary elections. Allows an individual to affiliate with a political party while registering to vote. Requires the text: "Would you like to choose your political party? If you wish to vote in a primary election, you must first choose your political party affiliation and may only vote that party's ballot in the primary election." and a blank space for the applicant to list a party affiliation to be included on a voter registration form. Provides that a voter may only vote at a primary election if the voter has affiliated with a political party not later than 119 days before the date of the primary election. Requires a voter to vote at the primary election held by the political party with which the voter is affiliated. Provides an exception to allow an individual who: (1) has moved to Indiana later than 119 days before the date of the primary election from another state; and (2) is 17 years of age but will be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next general, municipal, or special election; to register to vote and affiliate with a political party later than 119 days before the primary election, and vote at a primary election. Allows a voter to change party affiliation less than 119 days before the primary election and vote in a primary election if the voter has moved to a new election district less than 119 days before the primary election and the voter transfers the voter's registration record. Requires a county voter registration office to automatically affiliate certain voters with a political party and to allow all voters to affiliate or change political party affiliation. Allows a voter to affiliate with a political party when transferring the voter's registration record. Requires a voter who casts a provisional ballot to make an affidavit identifying the voter's political party affiliation.
AI Summary
This bill introduces a comprehensive change to Indiana's primary election process by implementing a closed primary system with specific party affiliation requirements. Starting July 1, 2025, voters will be required to choose and affiliate with a political party when registering to vote, and voter registration forms will now include language asking voters to select a political party and explaining that they can only vote in the primary election for their affiliated party. The bill mandates that voters must affiliate with a political party at least 119 days before a primary election, with some exceptions for new residents and young voters who will turn 18 before the general election. County voter registration offices will automatically affiliate existing voters based on their previous primary voting history, and voters will be permitted to change their party affiliation under certain circumstances, such as when moving to a new election district. The bill also specifies that voters can only vote in the primary election for the political party with which they are affiliated, and poll workers will be responsible for ensuring voters cast ballots only for their registered party. These changes aim to make the primary election process more structured and party-specific, requiring voters to make a more deliberate choice about their political participation.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Senate Amendment #4 - Senate Amendment #4 (on 02/17/2025)
Official Document
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