Ballot question · November 3, 2026
Public Question 2: Residency Requirements for City and Town Court Judges Amendment
Would amend Section 6 of Article 6 of the Indiana Constitution. Currently, a city or town court judge must reside in the city or town where the court is located. The amendment would allow the judge to reside in (1) the county in which the city or town court is located, or (2) the bordering Indiana county closest to the city or town, calculated by measuring the shortest distance from the city or town limits to the county line. Indiana has 38 city courts and 14 town courts, which handle town/city ordinances, misdemeanors, and infractions.
| A Yes vote means | A city or town court judge could reside in the county where the court is located, or in the bordering Indiana county closest to the city or town (shortest distance from city/town limits to the county line). |
| A No vote means | City and town court judges must continue to reside in the city or town where the court is located. |
Ballot text
Public Question 2
Supporters
- Michael Aylesworth — State Representative (R-11): Sponsor; argues rural communities struggle to find attorney-candidates for judge and that the residency rule limits them.
- Eric Koch — State Senator (R-44): Co-sponsor of the resolution.
- Loretta Rush — Chief Justice of Indiana: Has spoken in support of expanding residency options for city and town court judges.