Bill Text: IN HB1112 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Write-in candidates.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-13 - Public Law 217 [HB1112 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1112-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 3-5-2-54; IC 3-8; IC 3-9.
Synopsis: Write-in candidates. Provides that a write-in candidate may
not be affiliated with a political party. Provides that a person may not
knowingly or intentionally authorize, finance, sponsor, or participate
in the preparation, distribution, or broadcast of paid political
advertising or campaign material that represents that a write-in
candidate in any election is affiliated with a political party. Provides
certain exceptions to this prohibition, and provides civil penalties for
violations.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 8, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections and
Apportionment.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
elections.
(1) who has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate; and
(2) whose declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate has been accepted by the appropriate authority under IC 3-8-2-5 and IC 3-8-2-6.
(b) The declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate required under subsection (a) must be signed before a person authorized to
administer oaths and must certify the following information:
(1) The candidate's name must be printed or typewritten as:
(A) the candidate wants the candidate's name to be certified;
and
(B) the candidate's name is permitted to appear under IC 3-5-7.
(2) A statement that the candidate is a registered voter and the
location of the candidate's precinct and township (or ward and
city or town), county, and state.
(3) The candidate's complete residence address, and if the
candidate's mailing address is different from the residence
address, the mailing address.
(4) The candidate's party affiliation or A statement that the
candidate is an independent candidate (not affiliated with any
party). For purposes of this subdivision, a candidate is affiliated
with a political party only if the candidate satisfies section 7(a)(4)
of this chapter.
(5) A statement of the candidate's intention to be a write-in
candidate, the name of the office, including the district, and the
date and type of election.
(6) If the candidate is a candidate for the office of President or
Vice President of the United States, a statement declaring the
names of the individuals who have consented and are eligible to
be the candidate's candidates for presidential electors.
(7) A statement that the candidate:
(A) is aware of the provisions of IC 3-9 regarding campaign
finance and the reporting of campaign contributions and
expenditures; and
(B) agrees to comply with the provisions of IC 3-9.
The candidate must separately sign the statement required by this
subdivision.
(8) A statement as to whether the candidate has:
(A) been a candidate for state or local office in a previous
primary or general election; and
(B) filed all reports required by IC 3-9-5-10 for all previous
candidacies.
(9) If the candidate is subject to IC 3-9-1-5, a statement that the
candidate has filed a campaign finance statement of organization
for the candidate's principal committee or is aware that the
candidate may be required to file a campaign finance statement of
organization not later than noon seven (7) days after the final date
to file the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under
section 4 of this chapter.
(10) If the candidate is subject to IC 3-9-1-5.5, a statement that the candidate is required to file a campaign finance statement of organization under IC 3-9 after the first of either of the following occurs:
(A) The candidate receives more than five hundred dollars ($500) in contributions.
(B) The candidate makes more than five hundred dollars ($500) in expenditures.
(11) A statement that the candidate complies with all requirements under the laws of Indiana to be a candidate for the above named office, including any applicable residency requirements, and that the candidate is not ineligible to be a candidate due to a criminal conviction that would prohibit the candidate from serving in the office.
(12) The candidate's signature and telephone number.
(c) At the time of filing the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, the write-in candidate is considered a candidate for all purposes.
(d) A write-in candidate must comply with the requirements under IC 3-8-1 that apply to the office to which the write-in candidate seeks election.
(e) A person may not be a write-in candidate in a contest for nomination or for election to a political party office.
(f) A write-in candidate for the office of President or Vice President of the United States must list at least one (1) candidate for presidential elector and may not list more than the total number of presidential electors to be chosen in Indiana.
(g) The commission shall provide that the form of a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate includes the following information near the separate signature required by subsection (b)(7):
(1) The dates for filing campaign finance reports under IC 3-9.
(2) The penalties for late filing of campaign finance reports under IC 3-9.
(h) A declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate must include a statement that the candidate requests the name on the candidate's voter registration record be the same as the name the candidate uses on the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. If there is a difference between the name on the candidate's declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate and the name on the candidate's voter registration record, the officer with whom the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate is filed shall forward the information to the voter registration officer of the appropriate county as required by
IC 3-5-7-6(e). The voter registration officer of the appropriate county
shall change the name on the candidate's voter registration record to be
the same as the name on the candidate's declaration of intent to be a
write-in candidate.
(b) This subsection applies to a county that does not use a central location to tally ballot card votes. The circuit court clerk shall provide a copy of the certification under this section to the inspector of each precinct, with instructions concerning the counting of write-in votes for
declared write-in candidates.
(1) A communication relating to an election to a federal office.
(2) A person whose sole act is, in the normal course of business, participating in the preparation, printing, distribution, or broadcast of the advertising or material containing the representation.
(b) A person may not knowingly or intentionally authorize, finance, sponsor, or participate in the preparation, distribution, or broadcast of paid political advertising or campaign material that represents that a write-in candidate in any election is affiliated with a political party.
(1) Fails to file with the election division a report in the manner required under IC 3-9-5.
(2) Fails to file a statement of organization required under IC 3-9-1.
(3) Is a committee or a member of a committee who disburses or expends money or other property for any political purpose before the money or other property has passed through the hands of the treasurer of the committee.
(4) Makes a contribution other than to a committee subject to this article or to a person authorized by law or a committee to receive contributions on the committee's behalf.
(5) Is a corporation or labor organization that exceeds any of the limitations on contributions prescribed by IC 3-9-2-4.
(6) Makes a contribution in the name of another person.
(7) Accepts a contribution made by one (1) person in the name of another person.
(8) Is not the treasurer of a committee subject to this article, and pays any expenses of an election or a caucus except as authorized by this article.
(9) Commingles the funds of a committee with the personal funds of an officer, a member, or an associate of the committee.
(10) Wrongfully uses campaign contributions in violation of IC 3-9-3-4.
(11) Violates IC 3-9-2-12.
(12) Fails to designate a contribution as required by IC 3-9-2-5(c).
(13) Violates IC 3-9-3-5 or IC 3-9-3-6.
(14) Serves as a treasurer of a committee in violation of any of the following:
(A) IC 3-9-1-13(1).
(B) IC 3-9-1-13(2).
(C) IC 3-9-1-18.
(15) Fails to comply with section 4(d) of this chapter.
(16) Violates IC 3-9-3-2.5 by making a communication that contains a disclaimer that is not presented in a clear and conspicuous manner required by IC 3-9-3-2.5(d) and IC 3-9-3-2.5(e). This subdivision does not apply to a person whose sole act is, in the normal course of business, participating in the preparation, printing, distribution, or broadcast of the communication containing the disclaimer.
(b) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) for filing a defective report or statement. If the commission determines that a person failed to file the amended report or statement of organization not later than noon five (5) days after being given notice under section 14 of this chapter, the commission may assess a civil penalty. The penalty is ten dollars ($10) for each day the report is late after the expiration of the five (5) day period, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division. The civil penalty limit under this subsection applies to each report separately.
(c) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) for a delinquent report or statement. If the commission determines that a person failed to file the report or statement of organization by the deadline prescribed under this article, the commission shall assess a civil penalty. The penalty is fifty dollars ($50) for each day the report or statement is late, with the afternoon of the final date for filing the report or statement being calculated as the first day. The civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division. The civil penalty limit under this subsection applies to each report separately.
(d) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9), or (a)(10). If the commission determines that a person is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a), the commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), plus any investigative
costs incurred and documented by the election division.
(e) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(5). If the commission determines that a
person is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(5), the
commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than three (3) times
the amount of the contribution in excess of the limit prescribed by
IC 3-9-2-4, plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by
the election division.
(f) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(11). If the commission determines that a
candidate or the candidate's committee has violated IC 3-9-2-12, the
commission shall assess a civil penalty equal to the greater of the
following, plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the
election division:
(1) Two (2) times the amount of any contributions received.
(2) One thousand dollars ($1,000).
(g) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(12). If the commission determines that a
corporation or a labor organization has failed to designate a
contribution in violation of IC 3-9-2-5(c), the commission shall assess
a civil penalty equal to the greater of the following, plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division:
(1) Two (2) times the amount of the contributions undesignated.
(2) One thousand dollars ($1,000).
(h) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(13). If the commission determines, by
unanimous vote of the entire membership of the commission, that a
person has violated IC 3-9-3-5 or IC 3-9-3-6, the commission may
assess a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), plus
any investigative costs incurred and documented by the election
division.
(i) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(14). If the commission determines, by
unanimous vote of the entire membership of the commission, that a
person has served as the treasurer of a committee in violation of any of
the statutes listed in subsection (a)(14), the commission may assess a
civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division.
(j) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(15). The commission may assess a civil
penalty equal to the costs incurred by the election division for the
manual entry of the data contained in the report or statement, plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division.
(k) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(16). If the commission determines that a
person is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(16), the
commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand
dollars ($1,000) for each communication circulated or published (but
not for each of the copies of the communication actually circulated or
published), plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by
the election division.
(l) All civil penalties collected under this section shall be deposited
with the treasurer of state in the campaign finance enforcement
account.
(m) Proceedings of the commission under this section are subject to
IC 4-21.5.
(1) Fails to file with a county election board a report in the manner required under IC 3-9-5.
(2) Fails to file a statement of organization required under IC 3-9-1.
(3) Is a committee or a member of a committee who disburses or expends money or other property for any political purpose before the money or other property has passed through the hands of the treasurer of the committee.
(4) Makes a contribution other than to a committee subject to this article or to a person authorized by law or a committee to receive contributions in the committee's behalf.
(5) Is a corporation or labor organization that exceeds any of the limitations on contributions prescribed by IC 3-9-2-4.
(6) Makes a contribution in the name of another person.
(7) Accepts a contribution made by one (1) person in the name of another person.
(8) Is not the treasurer of a committee subject to this article, and pays any expenses of an election or a caucus except as authorized by this article.
(9) Commingles the funds of a committee with the personal funds of an officer, a member, or an associate of the committee.
(10) Wrongfully uses campaign contributions in violation of IC 3-9-3-4.
(11) Fails to designate a contribution as required by IC 3-9-2-5(c).
(12) Violates IC 3-9-3-5 or IC 3-9-3-6.
(13) Serves as a treasurer of a committee in violation of any of the following:
(A) IC 3-9-1-13(1).
(B) IC 3-9-1-13(2).
(C) IC 3-9-1-18.
(14) Violates IC 3-9-3-2.5 by making a communication that contains a disclaimer that is not presented in a clear and conspicuous manner, as required by IC 3-9-3-2.5(d) and IC 3-9-3-2.5(e). This subdivision does not apply to a person whose sole act is, in the normal course of business, participating in the preparation, printing, distribution, or broadcast of the communication containing the disclaimer.
(b) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) for filing a defective report or statement. If the county election board determines that a person failed to file the report or a statement of organization not later than noon five (5) days after being given notice under section 14 of this chapter, the county election board may assess a civil penalty. The penalty is ten dollars ($10) for each day the report is late after the expiration of the five (5) day period, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the board. The civil penalty limit under this subsection applies to each report separately.
(c) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) for a delinquent report or statement. If the county election board determines that a person failed to file the report or statement of organization by the deadline prescribed under this article, the board shall assess a civil penalty. The penalty is fifty dollars ($50) for each day the report is late, with the afternoon of the final date for filing the report or statement being calculated as the first day. The civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the board. The civil penalty limit under this subsection applies to each report separately.
(d) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9), or (a)(10). If the county election board determines that a person is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a), the board may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by the board.
(e) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(5). If the county election board determines
that a person is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(5), the
board may assess a civil penalty of not more than three (3) times the
amount of the contribution in excess of the limit prescribed by
IC 3-9-2-4, plus any investigative costs incurred and documented by
the board.
(f) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(11). If the county election board
determines that a corporation or a labor organization has failed to
designate a contribution in violation of IC 3-9-2-5(c), the board shall
assess a civil penalty equal to the greater of the following, plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the board:
(1) Two (2) times the amount of the contributions undesignated.
(2) One thousand dollars ($1,000).
(g) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(12). If the county election board
determines, by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board,
that a person has violated IC 3-9-3-5 or IC 3-9-3-6, the board may
assess a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), plus
any investigative costs incurred and documented by the board.
(h) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(13). If the county election board
determines, by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board,
that a person has served as the treasurer of a committee in violation of
any of the statutes listed in subsection (a)(13), the board may assess a
civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the board.
(i) This subsection applies to a person who is subject to a civil
penalty under subsection (a)(14). If the board determines that a person
is subject to a civil penalty under subsection (a)(14), the board may
assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000)
for each communication circulated or published (but not for each of the
copies of the communication actually circulated or published), plus any
investigative costs incurred and documented by the election division.
(j) All civil penalties collected under this section shall be deposited
with the county treasurer to be deposited by the county treasurer in a
separate account to be known as the campaign finance enforcement
account. The funds in the account are available, with the approval of
the county fiscal body, to augment and supplement the funds
appropriated for the administration of this article.
(k) Money in the campaign finance enforcement account does not
revert to the county general fund at the end of a county fiscal year.
(l) Proceedings of the county election board under this section are subject to IC 4-21.5.
