Ind. Code ch. 3-11-18.1

Ind. Code ch. 3-11-18.1
in effect

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-1 Application of chapter; pilot counties automatically redesignated

Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies to a county designated as a vote center county under this chapter. (b) On January 1, 2011, a county designated as a vote center pilot county under: (1) IC 3-11-18 (before its expiration); (2) P.L.164-2006, SECTION 148 (before its expiration); or (3) P.L.108-2008, SECTION 4 (before its expiration); is automatically redesignated as a vote center county under this chapter. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-2 "Active voter"

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "active voter" means a voter who is not an inactive voter under IC 3-7-38.2. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-3 Designation of county as vote center county; adoption of vote center order and plan

Sec. 3. (a) A county must comply with this section to become a vote center county. (b) As used in this section, "board" refers to any of the following: (1) The county election board. (2) The board of elections and registration. (c) The board shall hold a public hearing to present a draft plan for administration of vote centers in the county. (d) After presentation of the draft plan under subsection (c), the board shall accept written public comments on the draft plan. (e) At least thirty (30) days after the hearing held under subsection (c), the board shall hold a public hearing to consider the following: (1) The draft plan. (2) The written public comments. (3) Any other public comment that the board may permit on the draft plan. (f) After consideration of the draft plan and the public comments, the board may do the following: (1) Adopt an order approving the draft plan. (2) Amend the draft plan and adopt an order approving the amended draft plan. The board may adopt the order to approve a plan only by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board. (g) All members of the board must sign the order adopting the plan. (h) The order and the adopted plan must be filed with the election division and must include a copy of: (1) a resolution adopted by the county executive; and (2) a resolution adopted by the county fiscal body; approving the designation of the county as a vote center county. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.170-2019, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-4 Vote center plan; requirements

Sec. 4. The plan required by section 3 of this chapter must include at least the following: (1) The total number of vote centers to be established. (2) The location of each vote center. (3) The effective date of the order. (4) The following information according to the computerized list (as defined in IC 3-7-26.3-2) as of the date of the order: (A) The total number of voters within the county. (B) The number of active voters within the county. (C) The number of inactive voters within the county. (5) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), the number of precinct election boards that will be appointed to administer an election at the vote center. (6) For each precinct election board designated under subdivision (5), the number and name of each precinct the precinct election board will administer consistent with section 13 of this chapter for an election that is not being held in each precinct of the county. (7) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), the number and title of the precinct election officers who will be appointed to serve at the vote center. (8) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2): (A) the number and type of ballot variations that will be provided at the vote center; and (B) whether these ballots will be: (i) delivered to the vote center before the opening of the polls; or (ii) printed on demand for a voter's use. (9) A detailed description of any hardware, firmware, or software used: (A) to create an electronic poll list for each precinct whose polls are to be located at a vote center; or (B) to manage data in an electronic poll book through a secure electronic connection between the county election board and the precinct election officials administering a vote center. (10) A description of the equipment and procedures to be used to ensure that information concerning a voter entered into any electronic poll book used by precinct election officers at a vote center is immediately accessible to: (A) the county election board; and (B) the electronic poll books used by precinct election officers at all other vote centers in the county. (11) This subdivision applies to a county in which ballot cards are used at a vote center. For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), whether each ballot card printed will have the printed initials of the poll clerks captured through the electronic signature pad or tablet at the time the poll clerks log into the electronic poll book system printed on the back of the ballot card immediately before the ballot card is delivered to a voter. (12) The security and contingency plans to be implemented by the county to do all of the following: (A) Prevent a disruption of the vote center process. (B) Ensure that the election is properly conducted if a disruption occurs. (C) Prevent access to an electronic poll book without the coordinated action of two (2) precinct election officers who are not members of the same political party. (13) A certification that the vote center complies with the accessibility requirements applicable to polling places under IC 3-11-8. (14) A sketch depicting the planned layout of the vote center, indicating the location of: (A) equipment; and (B) precinct election officers; within the vote center. (15) The total number and locations of satellite offices to be established under IC 3-11-10-26.3 at vote center locations designated under subdivision (2) to allow voters to cast absentee ballots in accordance with IC 3-11. However, a plan must provide for at least one (1) vote center to be established as a satellite office under IC 3-11-10-26.3 on the two (2) Saturdays immediately preceding an election day. (16) The method and timing of providing voter data to persons who are entitled to receive the data under this title. Data shall be provided to all persons entitled to the data without unreasonable delay. (17) In a county in which a majority of votes are cast on optical scan ballot cards, any additional procedures to provide for efficient and secure voting at each vote center, including ballot on demand printing. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.225-2011, SEC.69; P.L.258-2013, SEC.81; P.L.55-2014, SEC.9; P.L.64-2014, SEC.59; P.L.76-2014, SEC.44; P.L.278-2019, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-5 Use of vote centers; exceptions

Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), a plan must provide a vote center for use by voters residing within the county for use in a primary election, general election, special election, municipal primary, or municipal election conducted on or after the effective date of the county election board's order. (b) A plan may provide that a vote center will not be used in a municipal election conducted in 2023, 2027, 2031, 2035, 2039, 2043, and every four (4) years thereafter for some or all of the towns: (1) located within the county; and (2) having a population of less than three thousand five hundred (3,500). (c) This section does not apply in a town that has established a town election board under IC 3-10-7-5.7 while the resolution established under IC 3-10-7-5.7 is in effect. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.64-2014, SEC.60; P.L.201-2017, SEC.31; P.L.278-2019, SEC.116; P.L.193-2021, SEC.68; P.L.141-2023, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-6 Number of vote centers required; number required for a special election

Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), when the total number of active voters in the county equals at least twenty-five thousand (25,000), the following apply: (1) The plan must provide for at least one (1) vote center for each ten thousand (10,000) active voters. (2) In addition to the vote centers designated in subdivision (1), the plan must provide for a vote center for any fraction of ten thousand (10,000) active voters. (b) When a county conducts a special election described in IC 3-10-8-1 that is conducted in only part of a county and not on the same date as a primary, general, or municipal election held in the county, the following apply: (1) The plan must provide for at least one (1) vote center. (2) If the election district for the special election contains at least ten thousand (10,000) active voters, the following apply: (A) The plan must provide for at least one (1) vote center for each ten thousand (10,000) active voters in the election district. (B) In addition to the vote centers required in clause (A), the plan must provide for a voter center for any fraction of ten thousand (10,000) active voters in the election district. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.201-2017, SEC.32.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-7 Designation of vote center county; criteria

Sec. 7. Before adopting an order designating a county as a vote center county under this chapter, the county election board must determine the following: (1) That the secure electronic connection as described under section 4(9)(B) of this chapter is sufficient to prevent: (A) any voter from voting more than once; and (B) unauthorized access by any person to: (i) the electronic poll lists for a precinct whose polls are to be located at the vote center; or (ii) the computerized list of voters of the county. (2) That the planned design and location of the equipment and precinct officers will provide the most efficient access for: (A) voters to enter the polls, cast their ballots, and leave the vote center; and (B) precinct election officials, watchers, challengers, and pollbook holders to exercise their rights and perform their duties within the vote center. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.278-2019, SEC.117.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-8 Effective date of designation; rescission of designation

Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the designation of a county as a vote center county takes effect immediately upon the filing of the order with the election division, unless otherwise specified by the county election board. (b) An order filed with the election division during the final sixty (60) days before an election becomes effective on the day following the election. (c) The designation of a county as a vote center county remains in effect until the county election board, by unanimous vote of its entire membership: (1) rescinds the order designating the county as a vote center county; and (2) files a copy of the document rescinding the order with the election division. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.258-2013, SEC.82.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-9 Notice of vote center locations

Sec. 9. The county election board shall publish notice of the location of each vote center in accordance with IC 3-11-8-3.2. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.227-2023, SEC.111.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-10 Administration of election according to laws and plan

Sec. 10. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the county shall administer an election conducted at a vote center in accordance with federal law, this title, and the plan adopted with the county election board's order under section 3 of this chapter. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.225-2011, SEC.70.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-11 Casting absentee ballots at vote centers located at satellite offices

Sec. 11. Notwithstanding any other law, a voter who resides in a vote center county is entitled to cast an absentee ballot at a vote center located at a satellite office of the county election board established under IC 3-11-10-26.3 in the same manner and subject to the same restrictions applicable to a voter wishing to cast an absentee ballot before an absentee board located in the office of the circuit court clerk or board of elections and registration. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-12 Electronic poll books at vote centers; application for certification; examination by VSTOP; report; approval of certification; expiration of certification; display or demonstration of uncertified electronic poll book

Sec. 12. (a) Notwithstanding section 1 of this chapter, this section applies to an electronic poll book to be used in: (1) a precinct polling place, office of the circuit court clerk, or a satellite office in accordance with IC 3-7-29-6; or (2) a vote center under this chapter. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, the electronic poll book used must satisfy all of the following: (1) The electronic poll book must comply with IC 3-11-8-10.3. (2) The electronic poll book must be approved by the secretary of state in accordance with this section. (3) Except with prior written authorization by the VSTOP, the electronic poll book must have been delivered to the county election board not less than sixty (60) days before an election at which the electronic poll book is used. (c) A person who wishes to market, sell, lease, or provide an electronic poll book for use in an election in Indiana must first file an application for certification with the election division on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. Except as provided in subsection (i), a person may not market, sell, lease, or provide an electronic poll book for use in an election in Indiana until the secretary of state has approved the application for certification under this section. The application must state that the vendor has complied, and will continue to comply, with subsection (d) following certification of the electronic poll book. Each application for certification of an electronic poll book must be accompanied by a fee of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). However, this fee does not apply to an application for a de minimis change. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited with the treasurer of state in the voting system technical oversight program account established by IC 3-11-17-6. (d) The person seeking certification of an electronic poll book shall conduct a background check at least once each year on each individual employed or contracted by the vendor who has access to the electronic poll book to determine if the individual has been convicted of a felony. An individual described by this subsection who has been convicted of a felony may not have access to an electronic poll book in the individual's capacity as an employee or contractor of the vendor. (e) The secretary of state shall refer the application to the person or entity conducting the VSTOP. (f) The VSTOP shall examine the electronic poll book with its accompanying documentation and file a report with the secretary of state indicating all of the following: (1) Whether the electronic poll book would operate in compliance with this title. (2) Whether VSTOP has reviewed tests conducted by an approved voting system testing laboratory. (3) Whether VSTOP has conducted a field test. (4) Whether the electronic poll book complies with additional requirements for the electronic poll book application for certification and acceptance testing, as described in the Indiana Electronic Poll Book Certification Test Protocol approved by the secretary of state (as in effect January 1, 2023). (5) Any recommendations regarding the acquisition or use of the electronic poll book. (6) Whether documentation of the escrow of the electronic poll book's software, firmware, source codes, and executable images with an escrow agent approved by the election division has been received by VSTOP. (7) Whether VSTOP recommends that the secretary of state approve the electronic poll book under this section, including any recommended restrictions that should be placed on the secretary of state's approval. (g) After the report required by subsection (f) is filed, the secretary of state may approve the application for certification permitting the electronic poll book to be used in an election in Indiana. (h) A certification under this section expires on December 31 of the year following the date of its issuance, unless earlier revoked by the secretary of state upon a written finding of good cause for the revocation, including a violation of IC 3-11-17-7(b). (i) A person may display or demonstrate an electronic poll book that has not been certified under this section if the person complies with all the following requirements: (1) The display or demonstration occurs at a conference of election officials sponsored by: (A) a state agency; or (B) an association of circuit court clerks or voter registration officers. (2) The person files a notice with the election division at least seven (7) days before the scheduled starting date of a conference referred to in subdivision (1) setting forth the following: (A) The name of the person and each representative scheduled to display or demonstrate the electronic poll book. (B) The address and telephone number of the person. (C) The model name of the electronic poll book. (D) The name and manufacturer of the electronic poll book. (E) The date and location of the display or demonstration of the electronic poll book. (3) The person displays the electronic poll book with a notice that: (A) is at least 16 point type size; (B) is posted on the surface of the electronic poll book; and (C) states that the electronic poll book is "Not Approved for Use in Indiana". (4) The person ensures that each communication concerning the electronic poll book that is available or made at a conference referred to in subdivision (1) includes a statement that the electronic poll book is "Not Approved for Use in Indiana". A printed communication must include the statement in a type size that is at least as large as the largest type size used in the communication. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.271-2013, SEC.25; P.L.64-2014, SEC.61; P.L.100-2018, SEC.15; P.L.71-2019, SEC.29; P.L.278-2019, SEC.118; P.L.135-2020, SEC.7; P.L.193-2021, SEC.69; P.L.227-2023, SEC.112.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-13 Voter right to cast vote at any vote center in county

Sec. 13. Notwithstanding any other law, including IC 3-11-8-2 and IC 3-14-2-11, a voter who resides in a vote center county is entitled to cast a ballot at any vote center established in the county without regard to the precinct in which the voter resides. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-14 Separation of ballots at vote center by precinct; exception for Marion County; reports of anomaly with poll book

Sec. 14. (a) The precinct election board administering an election at a vote center shall keep the ballots cast in each precinct separate from the ballots cast in any other precinct whose election is administered at the vote center, so that the votes cast for each candidate and on each public question in each of the precincts administered by the board may be determined and included on the statement required by IC 3-12-4-9. (b) This subsection applies to a county having a consolidated city, if either of the following applies to the county: (1) The county has adopted an order under IC 3-7-29-6(a)(1) to use an electronic poll book. (2) The county is a vote center county under IC 3-11-18.1. The precinct election board administering an election at a vote center shall keep the ballots secure so that the votes cast for each candidate and on each public question in each of the precincts administered by the board may be determined and included on the statement required by IC 3-12-4-9. The county election board shall separate the ballots by precinct if a recount is requested. (c) This subsection applies: (1) to a county described under section 12 of this chapter on and after the date absentee ballots are first transmitted to voters; and (2) to any anomaly or problem, whether due to a technical reason or due to human error with electronic poll book use. A person that receives a certification for an electronic poll book shall file not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the discovery of an anomaly or problem with the poll book a written report in accordance with IC 3-11-17-7. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.169-2015, SEC.134; P.L.71-2019, SEC.30; P.L.278-2019, SEC.119.

Ind. Code § 3-11-18.1-15 Amendment of county vote center plan

Sec. 15. (a) A county may amend a plan adopted with a county election board's order under section 3 of this chapter. (b) For a county to amend its plan: (1) the county election board or board of elections and registration, by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board, must approve the plan amendment; (2) all members of the board must sign the amendment; and (3) the amendment must be filed with the election division. (c) A plan amendment takes effect immediately upon filing with the election division, unless otherwise specified by the county election board. (d) A plan amendment may be filed with the election division by fax or electronic mail. As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.225-2011, SEC.71; P.L.170-2019, SEC.15; P.L.153-2024, SEC.17.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/3Fetched: 10/17/2026