HB 1359 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

Scanning ballots.

Summary

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.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Last action Feb 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced House Bill (H) → House Bill (S) · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to take effect immediately upon passage instead of waiting until July 1, 2026. Additionally, the requirements for absentee voters were modified to allow counties to use unique identifiers or electronic records instead of requiring a specific paper affidavit.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2026 to 'upon passage', allowing the new rules to be implemented immediately.

REQUIREMENT

The mandatory affidavit requirement for absentee voters was replaced with a more flexible option allowing counties to use unique identifiers or electronic records.

Floor votes · House Jan 22, 2026

How they voted

70–20

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 99

Jan 22, 2026

D Democratic29

7 Yea 20 Nay 2

68% Nay

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican69

62 Yea 7

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors