Signed by Governor Mike Braun

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that amends school board elections to be partisan races in Indiana.

Highlights:

• Amends school board elections to be partisan races in Indiana (Sec. 1-40).

• Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following (Sec. 1-40):

• The candidate's political party affiliation;

• That the candidate is independent; and

• The candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party, or the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. 

• Specifies that unless a candidate who states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot (Sec. 1-40).

• Requires that the name of a candidate for school board office who does not run in affiliation with a political party or as an independent candidate must be printed with a blank space after the candidate's name signifying that the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate (Sec. 1-40).

• Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for any candidate for a school board office. Requires a school board vacancy to be filled by (Sec. 1-40):

• A caucus if the vacating member stated an affiliation with a major political party; and

• The remaining members of the governing body if the vacating member did not state an affiliation with a major political party. Modifies the annual amount that the governing body of a school corporation may pay a member of the governing body from $2,000 (under current law) to an amount not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed by the school corporation.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 41).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends school board elections to be partisan races in Indiana.

Highlights:

• Amends school board elections to be partisan races in Indiana (Sec. 1-40).

• Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following (Sec. 1-40):

• The candidate's political party affiliation;

• That the candidate is independent; and

• The candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party, or the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. 

• Specifies that unless a candidate who states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot (Sec. 1-40).

• Requires that the name of a candidate for school board office who does not run in affiliation with a political party or as an independent candidate must be printed with a blank space after the candidate's name signifying that the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate (Sec. 1-40).

• Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for any candidate for a school board office. Requires a school board vacancy to be filled by (Sec. 1-40):

• A caucus if the vacating member stated an affiliation with a major political party; and

• The remaining members of the governing body if the vacating member did not state an affiliation with a major political party. Modifies the annual amount that the governing body of a school corporation may pay a member of the governing body from $2,000 (under current law) to an amount not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed by the school corporation.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 41).

Full Bill Text