Bill > SB0019

This bill changes the way Lake County superior court judges are elected, transitioning from a system of appointment by a judicial nominating commission to a direct election process. Specifically, the bill provides that sixteen superior court judges will be elected by the public every six years, with each judge required to be a resident of Lake County and licensed to practice law in Indiana. The transition will occur gradually, with the first election taking place at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of a sitting judge's current term. The bill repeals several existing provisions related to the judicial nominating commission for Lake County, effectively eliminating the current appointment process. The change is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes a provision that ensures the current judges' terms will not be prematurely terminated. The bill aims to bring the selection of Lake County superior court judges in line with the method used for selecting judges in other Indiana counties, where judges are directly elected by voters.

Justice

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/19/details