Smith supports amendment to gauge temperature on citizen-led ballot initiatives

Today, Indiana House Democrats offered an amendment to House Bill 1265 to add the question “Shall citizens be allowed to initiate a ballot referendum in Indiana” to each ballot in the November 2024 general election. This amendment failed by a vote of 27-66.

Throughout the country, Americans have had the opportunity to voice their opinions on issues such as cannabis legalization and abortion. Hoosiers currently do not have that ability.

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement today after voting for the amendment:

“Indiana is lagging behind many states in several areas, with a lack of ballot initiatives being one of those areas. Our constituents ought to have the right to voice their opinions at the ballot box. It is lost on me why my Republican colleagues are so afraid of the will of the Hoosiers. This amendment was non-binding, meaning it would simply ask Hoosiers if they would like to have ballot-led initiatives, but would not require the state to move forward. Citizen-led ballot initiatives would be an excellent way to hear directly from our constituents, and I will continue to support this effort.”