Ind. Code ch. 3-11-7

Ind. Code ch. 3-11-7
in effect

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-1 Necessity of approval

Sec. 1. The commission must approve a ballot card voting system before it may be used in an election. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-6(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.235; P.L.2-1996, SEC.161; P.L.239-2001, SEC.8; P.L.221-2005, SEC.48.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-2 Approval of system by commission

Sec. 2. The commission may approve a ballot card voting system only if the commission determines that the system meets the standards in this chapter and IC 3-11-15. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citations: 3-2-4-3(a) part; 3-2-4-6(a) part, (b).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.236; P.L.2-1996, SEC.162; P.L.176-1999, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-3 Capability of system; voting in secrecy

Sec. 3. A ballot card voting system must enable a voter to cast a vote in secrecy for all offices and public questions for which the voter is entitled to vote. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(1).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.237.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-3.5 Face of ballot card

Sec. 3.5. A ballot card printed for use under this article must have the year of the election to be conducted printed or stamped on the face of the ballot card. As added by P.L.176-1999, SEC.69.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-4 Capability of system; voting straight or split ticket variations; candidates elected to school board or at-large offices

Note: This version of section effective until 1-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 1-1-2027. Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a ballot card voting system must permit a voter to vote: (1) except at a primary election, a straight party ticket for all of the candidates of one (1) political party by a single voting mark on each ballot card; (2) for one (1) or more candidates of each political party or independent candidates, or for one (1) or more school board candidates nominated by petition; (3) a split ticket for the candidates of different political parties and for independent candidates; or (4) a straight party ticket and then split that ticket by casting individual votes for candidates of another political party or independent candidate. (b) A ballot card voting system must require that a voter who wishes to cast a ballot for a candidate for election to a school board office or an at-large district to which more than one (1) person may be elected, on a: (1) county council; (2) city common council; (3) town council; or (4) township board; make a voting mark for each individual candidate for whom the voter wishes to cast a vote. The ballot card voting system may not count any straight party ticket voting mark as a vote for any candidate for an office described by this subsection. (c) A ballot card voting system must permit a voter to vote: (1) for all candidates for presidential electors and alternate presidential electors of a political party or an independent ticket by making a single voting mark; and (2) for or against a public question on which the voter may vote. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(2).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.238; P.L.3-1993, SEC.131; P.L.221-2005, SEC.49; P.L.219-2013, SEC.38; P.L.21-2016, SEC.9; P.L.201-2017, SEC.29; P.L.278-2019, SEC.65; P.L.195-2025, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-4 Capability of system; voting straight or split ticket variations; candidates elected to school board offices

Note: This version of section effective 1-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 1-1-2027. Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a ballot card voting system must permit a voter to vote: (1) except at a primary election, a straight party ticket for all of the candidates of one (1) political party by a single voting mark on each ballot card; (2) for one (1) or more candidates of each political party or independent candidates, or for one (1) or more school board candidates nominated by petition; (3) a split ticket for the candidates of different political parties and for independent candidates; or (4) a straight party ticket and then split that ticket by casting individual votes for candidates. (b) A ballot card voting system must require that a voter who wishes to cast a ballot for a candidate for election to a school board office make a voting mark for each individual candidate for whom the voter wishes to cast a vote. The ballot card voting system may not count any straight party ticket voting mark as a vote for any candidate for election to a school board office. (c) A ballot card voting system must permit a voter to vote: (1) for all candidates for presidential electors and alternate presidential electors of a political party or an independent ticket by making a single voting mark; and (2) for or against a public question on which the voter may vote. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(2).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.238; P.L.3-1993, SEC.131; P.L.221-2005, SEC.49; P.L.219-2013, SEC.38; P.L.21-2016, SEC.9; P.L.201-2017, SEC.29; P.L.278-2019, SEC.65; P.L.195-2025, SEC.7; P.L.99-2026, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-5 Requisites of systems

Sec. 5. A ballot card voting system must be: (1) suitably designed for the purpose used; (2) of durable construction; (3) safe, efficient, and accurate in the conduct of elections and counting of ballots; and (4) in compliance with the standards for systems that are purchased after the effective date of the standards established under this chapter and IC 3-11-15. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(3).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.6-1986, SEC.19; P.L.3-1987, SEC.239; P.L.4-1991, SEC.74; P.L.2-1996, SEC.163; P.L.176-1999, SEC.70.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-6 Counting of vote; voting straight or split ticket variations

Sec. 6. Subject to IC 3-12-1-7.1, a ballot card voting system must count a ballot in accordance with IC 3-12-1-7 when a voter votes a straight ticket vote and votes for individual candidates as described by IC 3-12-1-7. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(A).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.240; P.L.3-1993, SEC.132; P.L.164-2006, SEC.96; P.L.195-2025, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-7 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(B).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.241; P.L.3-1993, SEC.133. Repealed by P.L.164-2006, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-8 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(C).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.242; P.L.3-1993, SEC.134. Repealed by P.L.164-2006, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-9 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(D).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.243; P.L.3-1993, SEC.135; P.L.38-1999, SEC.41. Repealed by P.L.164-2006, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-10 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(E).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.244; P.L.3-1993, SEC.136. Repealed by P.L.164-2006, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-11 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a)(4)(F).] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.5-1988, SEC.7; P.L.3-1993, SEC.137. Repealed by P.L.164-2006, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-11.5 Ballot card voting system; write-in vote count capacity

Sec. 11.5. A ballot card voting system must permit the counting of write-in votes in accordance with IC 3-12-1-7 and IC 3-12-1-7.5. As added by P.L.3-1993, SEC.138. Amended by P.L.21-2016, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-12 Tests to be conducted before approving system; marketing, sale, lease, or installation of voting system; expiration of approval

Sec. 12. (a) The commission shall: (1) require the vendor to have tests conducted concerning the compliance of a ballot card voting system with HAVA and the standards set forth in this chapter and IC 3-11-15; and (2) have the results of the tests evaluated by the person designated under IC 3-11-16; before determining whether to approve the application for certification of a ballot card voting system. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), the tests required under this section must be performed by an independent laboratory accredited under 52 U.S.C. 20971. The vendor shall pay any testing expenses incurred under this section. (c) If the commission determines that it is impossible or impractical to have an independent laboratory conduct tests on a ballot card voting system, the commission may direct that the tests be conducted by any other entity approved by the commission. (d) A ballot card voting system may not be marketed, sold, leased, installed, or implemented in Indiana before the application for certification of the system is approved by the commission. (e) An approval of a ballot card voting system under this chapter expires on the date specified in section 19(a) of this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-6(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.245; P.L.2-1996, SEC.164; P.L.221-2005, SEC.50; P.L.128-2015, SEC.170; P.L.21-2016, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-13 Repealed

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-6(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.246; P.L.2-1996, SEC.165; P.L.3-1997, SEC.285. Repealed by P.L.176-1999, SEC.134.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-14 Supplementary instructions and procedures for safe and efficient use of system; issuance

Sec. 14. The commission may issue supplementary instructions and procedures for the safe and efficient use of ballot card voting systems to carry out this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-7.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.247; P.L.2-1996, SEC.166.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-15 Proposed changes to voting system; tests to be conducted before approval; criteria for approval; marketing, sale, lease, or installation of changes; expiration of approval

Sec. 15. (a) A vendor may apply for approval of a proposed improvement or change to a ballot card voting system that is currently certified by the commission. A proposed improvement or change may not be marketed, sold, leased, installed, or implemented in Indiana before the application for the improvement or change is approved by the commission. (b) An application for approval of an improvement or change must be in the form prescribed by the election division. (c) The vendor applying for approval of an improvement or a change must have the improvement or change to the voting system tested by an independent laboratory accredited under 52 U.S.C. 20971. However, if the commission determines that it is impossible or impractical to have an independent laboratory conduct tests on a proposed improvement or change to a ballot card voting system, the commission may direct that the tests be conducted by any other entity approved by the commission. The vendor shall pay any testing expenses incurred under this subsection. (d) The election division (or the person designated under IC 3-11-16) shall review the proposed improvement or change to the voting system and the results of the testing by the independent laboratory under subsection (c) and report the results of the review to the commission. The review must indicate: (1) whether the proposed improvement or change has been approved by an independent laboratory accredited under 52 U.S.C. 20971 or as directed by the commission under subsection (c); (2) whether the proposed improvement is a de minimis change or a modification; (3) if the proposed improvement or change is a modification, whether the modification may be installed and implemented without any significant likelihood that the voting system would be configured or perform its functions in violation of HAVA or this title; and (4) whether the proposed improvement or change would comply with HAVA and the standards set forth in this chapter and IC 3-11-15. (e) After the commission has approved the application for an improvement or change (including a de minimis change) to a ballot card voting system, the improvement or change may be marketed, sold, leased, installed, or implemented in Indiana. (f) An approval of an application under this section expires on the date specified under section 19(a) of this chapter. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.248; P.L.4-1991, SEC.75; P.L.2-1996, SEC.167; P.L.3-1997, SEC.286; P.L.14-2004, SEC.108; P.L.221-2005, SEC.51; P.L.76-2014, SEC.32; P.L.5-2015, SEC.1; P.L.128-2015, SEC.171; P.L.169-2015, SEC.105; P.L.21-2016, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-16 Disapproval of system

Sec. 16. The commission may not approve the marketing, sale, lease, installation, or implementation of a ballot card voting system by a vendor if the commission finds that the system fails to meet all statutory requirements. [Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 3-2-4-3(a) part.] As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.249; P.L.5-1988, SEC.8; P.L.4-1991, SEC.76; P.L.2-1996, SEC.168; P.L.176-1999, SEC.71; P.L.221-2005, SEC.52.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-17 Examination of previously approved voting system; rescission of approval; prohibition of use

Sec. 17. (a) The election division (or the person designated under IC 3-11-16) may periodically examine a ballot card voting system that the commission has previously approved to determine whether the system is still in compliance with all statutory requirements and whether the voting system in use in a county has the same hardware, firmware, and software as the version of the voting system that was certified by the commission. (b) If a system does not comply with subsection (a), the commission may rescind the commission's approval of the voting system. (c) If the commission's approval is rescinded under subsection (b), the commission may prohibit the system from being installed, implemented, leased, marketed, used, permitted to be used, or sold for use in Indiana in an election conducted under this title. As added by P.L.4-1991, SEC.77. Amended by P.L.3-1993, SEC.139; P.L.2-1996, SEC.169; P.L.2-1997, SEC.9; P.L.3-1997, SEC.287; P.L.176-1999, SEC.72; P.L.126-2002, SEC.57; P.L.14-2004, SEC.109; P.L.221-2005, SEC.53.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-18 Filing contracts, leases, or purchase orders with election division

Sec. 18. (a) The county executive shall file a copy of all contracts, leases, or purchase orders, including modifications, for the sale or lease of voting equipment, systems, or software with the election division. (b) The documents listed in subsection (a) must be filed not later than thirty (30) days after the date of approval of the contract, lease, or purchase order by the county executive. As added by P.L.4-1991, SEC.78. Amended by P.L.2-1996, SEC.170; P.L.3-1997, SEC.288; P.L.221-2005, SEC.54.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-19 Expiration of approval of voting system; renewal of approval; notice of request for renewal; conditions for renewal; approval of renewal

Sec. 19. (a) Except as provided in subsection (g), the approval of a ballot card voting system under this chapter expires October 1 of the year following the year in which presidential electors are elected under IC 3-10-2-3. (b) The vendor of a voting system approved under this chapter may request that the approval be renewed by filing an application with the election division. (c) The application described in subsection (b) must identify all counties that are currently using the voting system. Before the commission considers the application for renewal, the election division shall give notice of the application to the circuit court clerk of each county listed in the application. (d) When the commission considers the application, the commission shall request comments regarding the renewal of the application from any interested person. Before acting on the application for renewal, the commission must receive a report from the person designated under IC 3-11-16 indicating that the hardware, firmware, and software included in the application for renewal of the voting system is identical to the version of the voting system previously certified by the commission. (e) After receiving the report under subsection (d) and receiving comments from interested persons, the commission shall approve an application for renewal under this section if the commission finds that the voting system: (1) complies with the standards prescribed under this chapter; (2) has worked effectively where the system has been used; and (3) has been adequately supported by the vendor of the system. (f) If the commission finds that a vendor has marketed, sold, leased, installed, implemented, or permitted the use of a voting system in Indiana that: (1) has not been certified by the commission for use in Indiana; or (2) includes hardware, firmware, or software in a version that has not been approved for use in Indiana; the commission may revoke the approval granted under this section and prohibit the vendor from marketing, leasing, or selling any voting system in Indiana for a specific period not to exceed five (5) years. (g) A vendor subject to subsection (f) may continue to provide support during the period specified in subsection (f) to a county that has acquired a voting system from the vendor after the vendor certifies that the voting system to be supported by the vendor only includes hardware, firmware, and software approved for use in Indiana. As added by P.L.3-1993, SEC.140. Amended by P.L.2-1996, SEC.171; P.L.3-1997, SEC.289; P.L.14-2004, SEC.110; P.L.221-2005, SEC.55.

Ind. Code § 3-11-7-20 County election board responsible for care and custody of voting systems when not in use

Sec. 20. The county election board is responsible for the care and custody of all ballot card voting systems while not in use. As added by P.L.100-2018, SEC.3.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/3Fetched: 10/17/2026

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