Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1359: Scanning ballots.
Status: In committee, February 16, 2026
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.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.
From the amended text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections. SECTION 1. IC 3-11-10-26, AS AMENDED BY P.L.186-2025, SECTION 27, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 26. (a) This subsection applies to all counties, except for a county to which IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.6 applies. As an alternative to voting by mail, a voter is entitled to cast an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board at any of the following: (1) One (1) location of the office of the circuit court clerk designated by the circuit court clerk. (2) A satellite office established under section 26.3 of this chapter. (b) This subsection applies to a county to which IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.6 applies. As an alternative to voting by mail, a voter is entitled to cast an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board at any of the following: (1) The office of the board of elections and registration. (2) A satellite office established under section 26.3 of this chapter. EH 1359--LS 7062/DI (c) Except for a location designated under subsection (a)(1), a location of the office of the circuit court clerk must be established as a satellite office under section 26.3 of this chapter in order to be used as a location at which a voter is entitled to cast …
Sponsors
- Timothy Wesco (R, HD-021) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
- : Senator Rogers added as second sponsor
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Elections
- : Referred to the Senate
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 81: yeas 71, nays 20
- : Senate sponsor: Senator Gaskill
- : Second reading: ordered engrossed
- : Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
- : Authored by Representative Wesco
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment
Votes
- HB1359.02.COMH (January 22, 2026): 71 yea, 20 nay, passed
Subjects: ELECTIONS; Generally
Common questions
- What is HB1359?
- HB1359 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Scanning ballots.
- What does HB1359 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.
- What is the status of HB1359?
- In committee as of February 16, 2026. Latest action: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted (February 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1359?
- Timothy Wesco (R, HD-021).
- Where is the official record for HB1359?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1359
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.