FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Indiana mayors, city and town clerks, and councilors could soon be elected during presidential election years under a bill approved by a Senate committee on Monday.

Currently, municipalities with populations of at least 3,500 hold elections in the odd-numbered years before presidential elections. However, Indiana Secretary of State Legislative Director Kegan Prentice says shifting to presidential election years could increase voter turnout and reduce costs.

“Municipal elections, we see about 20 percent voter turnout. When we’re talking about cost maximization, you’re looking at multiple dollars — $10 per voter. Whereas, in a presidential election, you’re spending less than 50 cents per voter,” Prentice said.

The proposed bill includes an opt-out option for communities that prefer to maintain their current election schedules. In those cases, the local council would need to pass a resolution and put the decision to a voter referendum.

The measure advanced to the Senate floor along party lines, but several Republican lawmakers voiced concerns despite voting in favor of the bill.