Ind. Code ch. 3-10-5

Ind. Code ch. 3-10-5
in effect

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-1 Ratifying convention; election of delegates

Sec. 1. Whenever the Congress of the United States proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States and proposes that it be ratified by conventions in the several states, the governor shall fix, by proclamation, the date of an election to elect the delegates to the convention in this state. The election shall be held within sixty (60) days after the date of the proclamation and within four (4) months after the date of the receipt of the proposed amendment by the appropriate official from the Secretary of State of the United States. If a general election occurs within this period, the special election shall be held at the same time and by the same election officers who conduct the general election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-1 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-2 Eligible voters

Sec. 2. The electorate of the whole state may vote at the election required by section 1 of this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-2.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-3 Conduct of election

Sec. 3. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the election required by section 1 of this chapter shall be conducted and the results ascertained, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as an election of governor. All of the other provisions of this title apply to the election when consistent with this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-3.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-4 Conduct of election; precinct election officers

Sec. 4. Each county election board shall conduct the election required by section 1 of this chapter. The precinct election officers consist of one (1) inspector and two (2) poll clerks to be appointed by the county election board at least ten (10) days before the election. These officers have the same powers and duties as other precinct election officers and receive the same pay that precinct election officers receive in general elections. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-1 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-5 Number of delegates

Sec. 5. Each county shall elect at least one (1) delegate to the convention prescribed by section 1 of this chapter. In addition, each county having a population greater than twenty thousand (20,000) shall elect one (1) additional delegate for each additional twenty thousand (20,000) persons in the county, or major fraction thereof. The governor shall determine the number of delegates to which each county is entitled under this section and shall include the number in the governor's proclamation. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-4.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-6 Qualifications of delegate

Sec. 6. A candidate for delegate to a convention held under this chapter must be: (1) a resident of the county; and (2) a registered voter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.178.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-7 Procedure for nomination

Sec. 7. Nomination of a candidate for delegate to a convention held under this chapter must be by petition. Before the candidate's name is placed on a petition, the candidate must file in the office of the circuit court clerk of the county in which the candidate resides a declaration stating the candidate's name, the candidate's residence address with the street and number (if any), and whether if elected as a delegate the candidate will vote for or against the ratification of the amendment to be considered by the convention. The circuit court clerk may not accept a petition containing the name of a candidate who has failed to file such a declaration. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-8 Nomination petitions; required number of signatures

Sec. 8. A single petition required by section 7 of this chapter may nominate any number of candidates, but not more than the total number of delegates to be elected from the county. A petition must be signed by at least five hundred (500) voters for each delegate nominated. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-9 Nomination petitions; contents

Sec. 9. A petition required by section 7 of this chapter must contain the candidates' names, the candidates' residence address with the street and number (if any), and a declaration and pledge that each candidate will, if elected, vote for or against ratification at the convention. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-10 Nomination petitions; political party designations

Sec. 10. A petition required by section 7 of this chapter may not include a candidate's political party or political designation. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-11 Nomination petitions; inconsistent names

Sec. 11. A petition required by section 7 of this chapter may not contain the name of a candidate whose position as stated is inconsistent with that of another candidate on the same petition. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-12 Signing more than one petition

Sec. 12. A person may not sign both a petition for a candidate in favor of ratification and a petition for a candidate opposed to ratification. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-13 Filing of petitions and acceptances; preservation

Sec. 13. All petitions and acceptances must be filed with the circuit court clerk no later than noon thirty (30) days before the date of the election. The clerk shall preserve the petitions and make them available for public inspection. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.10-1988, SEC.84.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-14 Successful candidates; ties; time for objections

Sec. 14. The candidates whose nominating petitions have been signed by the highest number of voters are nominated. Ties shall be resolved by lot drawn by the commission. If a written objection is not filed with the circuit court clerk no later than noon ten (10) days after the filing, the decision of the clerk is final. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.10-1988, SEC.85; P.L.2-1996, SEC.119.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-15 Objections

Sec. 15. If an objection to a decision of the circuit court clerk is made, the clerk shall immediately certify the objection and the petition to the election division. The commission shall consider the objection, and the decision of the commission is final. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.179; P.L.3-1997, SEC.226.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-16 Certification of successful nominees

Sec. 16. Not later than noon fifteen (15) days after the petitions have been filed with the circuit court clerk, the clerk shall certify the names of the successful nominees to the election division. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.180; P.L.3-1997, SEC.227.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-17 Conduct of election; ballot

Sec. 17. The election required by section 1 of this chapter shall be conducted by ballot. The ballot must state first the substance of the proposed constitutional amendment, followed by appropriate instructions to the voters. The ballot then must be in the form prescribed by the election division. The names of the nominees in favor of ratification shall be placed in the column headed "For Ratification". The names of the nominees against ratification shall be placed in the column headed "Against Ratification". [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-6 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.181; P.L.3-1993, SEC.99; P.L.2-1996, SEC.120; P.L.169-2015, SEC.80.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-18 Arrangement of names on ballot

Sec. 18. The ballot prescribed by section 17 of this chapter shall be arranged so that a voter may, by making a single voting mark, vote for an entire group of nominees whose names are in one column. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-6 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.6-1986, SEC.10; P.L.3-1987, SEC.182.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-19 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-6 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.183. Repealed by P.L.3-1993, SEC.282.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-20 Order of names on ballot

Sec. 20. Each county election board shall prepare the ballots in series equal to the total number of delegates to be elected. The names of the candidates shall be arranged in alphabetical order in the first series of ballots printed. On the next series printed the first name shall be placed last, and the process shall be repeated in the same manner until each name has been first. The ballots shall then be combined in tablets with no two (2) of the same order of names together, except where there is but one (1) candidate in each column and when impracticable to do so. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-6 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-21 Marking of ballot

Sec. 21. A voter shall indicate a choice by making one (1) or more voting marks in the appropriate spaces provided on the ballot. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-6 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.6-1986, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-22 Successful nominees

Sec. 22. The nominees who receive the highest number of votes, up to the total number to be chosen, are the delegates to the convention prescribed by section 1 of this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-23 Certification of delegates

Sec. 23. Not later than noon ten (10) days after the election, each circuit court clerk shall: (1) certify the election of each delegate to the election division; and (2) deliver a certificate of election to each successful delegate. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-5 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1997, SEC.228.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-24 Vacancies

Sec. 24. If there is a vacancy in the convention prescribed by section 1 of this chapter, the vacancy shall be filled by majority vote of the delegates from the county in which the vacancy exists. If the convention does not have another delegate from that county, the governor shall fill the vacancy. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-7 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-25 Commencement of convention; quorum

Sec. 25. The delegates certified under section 23 of this chapter shall meet in convention in the chamber of the Indiana house of representatives on the third Monday following the election at 2 p.m. to pass upon the question of whether or not to ratify the proposed constitutional amendment. A majority of the delegates elected to the convention constitutes a quorum. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-8.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-26 Call to order; oath of office

Sec. 26. The lieutenant governor shall call the convention to order. A justice of the supreme court shall administer the oath of office. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-9 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-27 Powers of convention

Sec. 27. The convention: (1) is the judge of the election and qualifications of its members; (2) may elect its president, secretary, and other officers; and (3) may adopt its own rules. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-9 part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-28 Journal of convention

Sec. 28. (a) The convention shall keep a journal of its proceedings and debates in which the vote of each delegate on the question of ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment shall be recorded. (b) Upon final adjournment the journal shall be filed with the election division. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-10.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1997, SEC.229.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-29 Certificate of ratification

Sec. 29. (a) If the convention agrees to the ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment by majority vote of the delegates elected to the convention, the president and secretary of the convention shall execute a certificate to that effect and transmit the certificate to the election division. (b) The secretary of state shall transmit the certificate under the official seal of the state to the Secretary of State of the United States. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-11.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.3-1997, SEC.230.

Ind. Code § 3-10-5-30 Congressional preemption of procedure

Sec. 30. If at or about the time of submitting a constitutional amendment, Congress, either in the resolution submitting the amendment or by statute, prescribes the manner in which the conventions are to be constituted and does not except from the resolution or statute states that have provided for conventions, this chapter is inoperative and the convention shall be constituted and operate as the resolution or statute directs. Each public official of this state who is authorized or directed by the resolution or statute to take action to constitute a convention for this state shall act in accordance with it as if acting under a statute of this state. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-1-14-12.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.6.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/3Fetched: 10/17/2026