Earlier this week, WKVI reported on one of two proposed amendments to Indiana’s State Constitution that voters will decide during the upcoming November 3rd elections.
That information can be found here.
The second proposed amendment to Indiana’s constitution asks voters to decide whether to change residency requirements for city and town court judges.
The proposal, listed as Public Question 2 on the ballot, would amend Article 6, Section 6 of the Indiana Constitution to allow city and town court judges to live outside the municipalities where they serve.
Currently, judges serving in city and town courts are required to reside within the city or town where they preside. If the amendment is approved, those judges would be permitted to live anywhere within the county where their court is located, or in the bordering county closest to the city or town.
The proposed amendment is intended to expand the pool of potential judicial candidates, particularly in smaller Indiana communities.
City and town courts handle cases involving misdemeanors, traffic violations, and violations of local ordinances.
The question on the ballot is expected to be worded as: “Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to permit the judge of a city or town court to reside in: (1) the county in which the court is located; or (2) the bordering county closest to the city or town in which the court is located? (This question concerns Article 6, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana.)”
A “yes” vote would approve the expanded residency requirements.
A “no” vote would maintain the current requirement that city and town court judges live within the municipality they serve.
Supporters of the amendment believe that expanding residency requirements would help smaller communities attract qualified judicial candidates, particularly in rural areas where practicing attorneys are limited.
Those who want to maintain the current requirements believe it is important for judges to have a direct connection to the communities they serve.
Voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject each proposed amendment separately during the November 3 General Election.
