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HB1359 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Timothy Wesco
Last action
2026-02-16
Official status
House Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Indiana Ballot Scanning and Voting Period Changes

This bill allows certain Indiana counties to scan ballots without secrecy envelopes during early voting and on election day, and shortens the in-person absentee voting period.

What This Bill Does

  • Specifies a process by which certain counties may scan voted optical scan ballot cards during the early voting period and on election day without using secrecy envelopes.
  • Reduces the period for in-person absentee voting from 28 days to 16 days before an election, ending at noon the day before the election.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Certain counties that choose to scan ballots without secrecy envelopes during early voting and on election day
  • Voters who want to vote in person absentee

Terms To Know

optical scan ballot cards
Ballots that are filled out by marking an area with a pen or pencil, which can then be scanned and counted electronically.
secrecy envelopes
Envelopes used to keep voters' ballots private when they are submitted for counting.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify which counties can use the new ballot scanning process.
  • It is unclear how many people will be affected by the shorter in-person absentee voting period.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1359.02.COMH.AMS02

Committee House Bill (S) • Senator Mike Gaskill

Filed

Plain English: This amendment changes Indiana's early voting rules.

  • Adds new provisions to allow for in-person absentee voting during a specified period before an election.
  • The exact details of the early voting period and other specifics are not provided, making it unclear how this will be implemented.
HB1359.01.INTR.AMH01

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Timothy Wesco

Filed

Plain English: This amendment changes how ballots are scanned in Indiana.

  • Modifies the process for scanning ballots under Indiana's election laws.
  • The official text does not provide specific details on how ballot scanning will be changed, making it hard to explain exact modifications.
HB1359.03.COMS.AMS001

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Greg Walker

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding elections, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The exact nature of the change is unclear as the official text does not specify any particular modifications or additions to the existing law.
  • The amendment's text lacks sufficient detail to explain its intended impact on Indiana election laws.
  • Without specific language changes, it is impossible to determine what concrete effects this amendment would have.
HB1359.03.COMS.AMS002

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Fady Qaddoura

Failed

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change how voter registration is handled in Indiana.

  • It would allow voters who have moved within the same county to update their address without needing a new registration form.
  • The exact details of how this process will be implemented are not provided, making it unclear how easy or difficult it might be for voters to change their addresses.
  • It is also unknown what specific changes would need to be made to the current voter registration system to accommodate this amendment.
HB1359.03.COMS.AMS003

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator J.D. Ford

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding elections, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The exact nature of the change is unclear as the provided text does not specify any particular modifications to the law.
  • The official amendment text lacks specific details on how or what part of the Indiana Code concerning elections would be amended.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  2. 2026-02-05 Senate

    Senator Rogers added as second sponsor

  3. 2026-01-27 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Elections

  4. 2026-01-23 House

    Referred to the Senate

  5. 2026-01-22 House

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 81: yeas 71, nays 20

  6. 2026-01-22 House

    Senate sponsor: Senator Gaskill

  7. 2026-01-20 House

    Second reading: ordered engrossed

  8. 2026-01-14 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  9. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative Wesco

  10. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.
Scanning ballots.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

Scanning ballots.

Specifies a process by which certain counties may scan voted optical scan ballot cards during the early voting period and on election day without using secrecy envelopes. Makes conforming amendments. Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office from 28 days to a 16 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.