Senate Bill 452 moves municipal elections to even numbered year, school board elections to the fall general election, consolidates precincts into centralized voting centers, and prohibits employees from serving as elected officials within the same government unit. Watchdog Indiana
has examined Senate Bill 452, explains its merits and why it should be voted into law by the 2009 General Assembly.
Senate Bill 452
Kernan-Shepard Election Provisions
The SB 452 provisions that prohibit employees of a local government unit from serving as elected officials within the same local government unit are Taxpayer Friendly. It is a clear conflict of interest for public employees to benefit from their actions as elected officials. Also, the chain of command and procedures for discipline are upheld when employees of a local government unit do not serve as elected policymakers for that unit.
The SB 452 provisions that move the elections of municipal officers to even-numbered years are Taxpayer Friendly because (1) eliminating odd-year municipal elections will lower election costs and (2) voter turnout will likely be greater. Moving all school board member elections to the November general election in even-numbered years will also likely increase voter turnout.
The SB 452 provisions establishing the use of vote centers as an option for all counties are Taxpayer Friendly because elections are expected to be more efficient.
It is Taxpayer Friendly that a city clerk-treasurer in a third class city be required to attend training provided by the state board of accounts concerning a fiscal officer's duties and responsibilities.
In conclusion, the Taxpayer Friendly SB 452 provisions include the following:
(1) prohibiting employees of a local government unit from serving as elected officials within the same local government unit,
(2) moving the elections of municipal officers to even-numbered years,
(3) moving all school board member elections to the November general election in even-numbered years,
(4) establishing the use of vote centers as an option for all counties, and
(5) requiring a city clerk-treasurer in a third class city to attend fiscal officer training provided by the state board of accounts.
From Watchdog Indiana