SB 12 Indiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Prohibition of ranked choice voting.

SB 12 prohibits local governments from using ranked choice voting in municipal or school board elections. It directly affects communities that had adopted or planned to adopt this voting method. The bill's key provision bans the implementation of ranked choice voting systems by local election authorities. The bill passed the House on January 20, 2026, with 38 votes in favor and 9 against. This legislation prevents any future use of ranked choice voting for local elections in the state.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Feb 2026

Introduced Dec 8, 2025 Signed Feb 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Bill (H) → Senate Bill (S) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill has progressed from its initial Senate version to its engrossed form, incorporating additional House sponsors and reflecting its passage by both the Senate and House. The document now includes a new committee report from the House, confirming the bill's approval by that chamber. The effective date of the legislative session has been updated to February 12, 2026.

TIMELINE

Added House sponsors (Wesco, Lawson, Bartels) and recorded the bill's passage by the House of Representatives on January 20, 2026.

Included a new House Committee Report recommending the bill do pass, dated February 12, 2026.

Updated the bill's title and dates to reflect its status as 'Engrossed' and the final passage date of February 12, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

38–8

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 48

Jan 20, 2026

D Democratic9

1 Yea 8 Nay

88% Nay

R Republican39

37 Yea 2

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 24, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 259: yeas 58, nays 30

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 34: yeas 38, nays 9

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Amended

Amendment #1 (Hunley) failed; voice vote

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

upper

4 primary · 20 co-sponsors