Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 532
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 4-3-28.
Synopsis: Ballot tracking commission. Establishes the ballot tracking
commission to review data concerning technology to track an absentee
ballot using real-time tracking information. Provides that the
commission expires June 30, 2026.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Ford J.D.
January 16, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections.
2025 IN 532—LS 6728/DI 149 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
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SENATE BILL No. 532
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state
offices and administration.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 4-3-28 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS
2 A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
3 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 28. Ballot Tracking Commission
5 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" means the ballot
6 tracking commission established by section 2 of this chapter.
7 Sec. 2. The ballot tracking commission is established as a
8 temporary executive branch commission to do the following:
9 (1) Review the data of how often IMb Tracing or similar
10 automated tracking methods are used on absentee ballots that
11 are sent to a voter under IC 3-11-4-18.
12 (2) Review the different automated tracking methods that are
13 available to provide real-time tracking information for the
14 envelope containing the ballot that is sent to the voter and the
15 completed absentee ballot that is mailed by the voter.
16 (3) Review the data concerning the effectiveness of ballot
17 tracking programs used in other states.
2025 IN 532—LS 6728/DI 149 2
1 (4) Review the cost to implement a ballot tracking program
2 that would allow a voter who is entitled to cast an absentee
3 ballot by mail to track the absentee ballot that is sent to the
4 voter and then returned by the voter.
5 (5) Review any other topic that is relevant to the
6 implementation of a ballot tracking program.
7 (6) Before June 30, 2026, issue a report containing its findings
8 and recommendations to:
9 (A) the governor; and
10 (B) the legislative council.
11 The report to the legislative council must be in an electronic
12 format under IC 5-14-6.
13 Sec. 3. The commission consists of the following eleven (11)
14 members:
15 (1) The president pro tempore of the senate, or a designee of
16 the president pro tempore who is a member of the senate. The
17 president pro tempore or designee shall serve as a
18 co-chairperson of the commission.
19 (2) The minority leader of the senate or a designee of the
20 minority leader who is a member of the senate.
21 (3) The speaker of the house of representatives or the
22 speaker's designee who is a member of the house of
23 representatives. The speaker or designee shall serve as a
24 co-chairperson of the commission.
25 (4) The minority leader of the house of representatives or the
26 minority leader's designee who is a member of the house of
27 representatives.
28 (5) The secretary of state or the secretary's designee.
29 (6) The co-director of the secretary of state election division
30 affiliated with the Indiana Republican Party or the
31 co-director's designee.
32 (7) The co-director of the secretary of state election division
33 affiliated with the Indiana Democratic Party or the
34 co-director's designee.
35 (8) A mayor of a city in Indiana appointed by the governor.
36 (9) A member of the Indiana league of municipal clerks and
37 treasurers who is a clerk.
38 (10) The United States Postal Service postmaster of Marion
39 County or the postmaster's designee.
40 (11) An individual who works in an industry that uses
41 real-time tracking technology in the regular course of
42 business appointed by the governor.
2025 IN 532—LS 6728/DI 149 3
1 Sec. 4. A member serves for a term that ends June 30, 2026.
2 Sec. 5. A member who is not an ex officio member serves at the
3 pleasure of the appointing authority.
4 Sec. 6. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made in the
5 same manner that an original appointment is made. An individual
6 appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the term of
7 the former member.
8 Sec. 7. Each member of the commission who is a state employee
9 is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided
10 under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in
11 connection with the member's duties as provided in the state
12 policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of
13 administration and approved by the budget agency.
14 Sec. 8. Each member of the commission who is not a state
15 employee is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and
16 travel allowances paid to individuals who serve as legislative and
17 lay members, respectively, of interim study committees established
18 by the legislative council.
19 Sec. 9. Each member of the council who is a member of the
20 general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage,
21 and travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study
22 committees established by the legislative council. Per diem,
23 mileage, and travel allowances paid under this section shall be paid
24 from appropriations made to the legislative council or the
25 legislative services agency.
26 Sec. 10. Except for expenses described in section 9 of this
27 chapter, expenses of the commission shall be paid from funds
28 appropriated to the governor.
29 Sec. 11. The commission shall hold meetings at the call of the
30 co-chairpersons.
31 Sec. 12. Six (6) members constitute a quorum for the transaction
32 of business.
33 Sec. 13. Each member has one (1) vote.
34 Sec. 14. Action of the commission may be taken only upon the
35 affirmative votes of at least six (6) members.
36 Sec. 15. The office of the governor shall staff the commission.
37 Sec. 16. This chapter expires June 30, 2026.
2025 IN 532—LS 6728/DI 149