Indiana 2025 2025 Regular Session

Indiana House Bill HB1680 Introduced / Fiscal Note

Filed 04/10/2025

                    LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7714	NOTE PREPARED: Apr 10, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1680	BILL AMENDED: Apr 7, 2025 
SUBJECT: Election Security and Transparency.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Wesco	BILL STATUS: As Passed Senate
FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Gaskill
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL	IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Secretary of State– The bill requires each county to submit to the Secretary of
State (Secretary) information concerning the county's information technology provider. 
Reentry/Exit of Polls– The bill permits a poll book holder, challenger, or watcher to enter, leave, and reenter
multiple polling places at any time on election day. 
Proof of Citizenship– The bill requires the County Voter Registration Official (CVRO) to send a notice
requesting proof of citizenship to an individual who uses an identification number from a temporary
credential as part of the individual's voter registration application. 
Voter Registration– The bill provides that an applicant may not list on a voter registration form a post office
box or a commercially available mailing box as the residence address of the applicant. The bill prohibits,
with some exceptions, an individual from: (1) printing information on; (2) setting forth information on; or
(3) completing; any part of a voter registration form that will be executed by another individual.
Petition of Nominations– The bill requires a person who receives a completed petition for nomination of a
candidate and has reason to believe that the petition is materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent to deliver the
petition to a county election board. 
County Election Boards– The bill requires the county election board to take certain actions to determine if
a violation of election law has occurred. 
Challengers– The bill allows a voter who resides in any precinct to challenge a voter or person who offers
to vote at a primary election. 
Absentee Ballot– The bill provides that an absentee ballot affidavit that does not contain an accurate date of
signature is insufficient and must be rejected. 
HB 1680	1 Procedure Audit– The bill permits the Secretary to conduct a procedure audit of a primary or general election
after the election occurs. The bill requires the secretary to issue orders concerning procedure audits. The bill
specifies the deadlines by which procedure audits must be completed. 
Penalty Provision– The bill makes it a Class A misdemeanor to circulate or publish material in an election
without printing a certain statement on the envelope of an absentee ballot application that a person sends to
an individual.
Effective Date:  July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Election Division– The Election Division may need to update their
publications of the changes reflected in the bill. Additionally, the Division may need to update voter forms
to indicate to potential registrants of the listing address requirements under the bill. These changes could be
accomplished as the Division updates their publications and forms annually as a routine matter of business.
Secretary of State– The bill would require the Secretary of State to compile information transferred to them
from counties regarding counties’ information technology providers and their providers’ addresses. 
Proof of Citizenship– The Election Division would be able to prescribe the notice as a routine matter of
business.
Procedure Audits– If the Secretary’s office decided to conduct procedure audits after each election, state
expenditures could potentially increase in years that audits are conducted. Sources for funding of the audits
would come from existing funding not currently encumbered for other purposes or new appropriation, which
may require further administrative action to use for this purpose. 
Explanation of State Revenues: Penalty Provision–  If additional court cases occur and fines are collected,
revenue to both the Common School Fund (from fines) and the state General Fund (from court fees) would
increase. The maximum fine for a Class A misdemeanor is $5,000. The total fee revenue per case would
range between $113 and $138. The amount of court fees deposited will vary depending on whether the case
is filed in a court of record or a municipal court. The following linked document describes the fees and
distribution of the revenue: Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and civil violation cases.
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Secretary of State– Counties would likely be able to supply the
required information on their information technology providers to the Secretary as a routine matter of
business.
Repeal of County Policy– Counties with policies in place would no longer be able to provide computerized
voter registration information to persons requesting it. This provision would slightly reduce the workload
of county election boards. 
Proof of Citizenship– CVROs would see a workload increase as a result of this provision. However, it is
likely the workload increase could be handled with the CVROs’ existing staff levels.
County Election Boards– It is likely that county election boards would be able to determine if a petition of
nomination turned in by a citizen could be fraudulent within their existing staff and meeting schedule. If
additional meetings are required, then election board expenditures would increase to compensate the
members for their service time.
HB 1680	2 Penalty Provision– A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail.
Explanation of Local Revenues: Repeal of County Policy– Counties with policies in place would no longer
be able to collect fees for copies of  computerized voter registration information to persons requesting it. This
provision would slightly reduce county revenues.
Penalty Provision– If additional court actions occur and a guilty verdict is entered, more revenue will be
collected by certain local units. If the case is filed in a court of record, the county general fund will receive
$47.40 and qualifying municipalities will receive a share of $3.60. If the case is filed in a municipal court,
the county receives $30, and the municipality will receive $46. The following linked document describes the
fees and distribution of the revenue: Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and civil violation cases. 
State Agencies Affected: Election Division, Secretary of State. 
Local Agencies Affected: County election boards, CVROs, trial courts, local law enforcement. 
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker,  317-232-9851.
HB 1680	3