LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6451 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 14, 2021
BILL NUMBER: HB 1185 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Ballot Access for Minor Parties.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Dvorak BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Definition– The bill provides that the term "major political party" refers to: (1)
with respect to the state, any of the parties whose nominees received more than 2,500 votes statewide for
Secretary of State in the last election; or (2) with respect to a political subdivision, any of the parties whose
nominees received more than 250 votes in that political subdivision for Secretary of State in the last election.
Ballot Access– The bill provides that a political party whose nominee received at least 2,500 votes but less
than 25% of the votes cast for Secretary of State at the last election shall nominate the party's candidates at
a state convention and for certain local offices at a county convention.
Petitions– The bill provides that the petition of nomination for an independent or minor political party must
be signed by 250 registered voters in the election district that the candidate seeks to represent.
Effective Date: July 1, 2022.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Petitions– Petition forms may need to be revised to reflect the changes
in the bill. However, the Election Division should be able to make any adjustments to the forms electronically
without additional cost.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Ballot Access– If additional candidates for state or local office appear
on general election ballots in future years, optical scan ballots may become slightly longer, which could
increase printing costs. Any cost increase would likely not be significant. However, direct recording
HB 1185 1 electronic ballots would be able to be programed with additional candidates likely without increasing costs
from their normal programing costs for the election.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Election Division.
Local Agencies Affected: County election boards, county clerks.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker, 317-232-9851.
HB 1185 2