Bail on the Ballot Social Media Toolkit

Bail on the Ballot
Social Media Toolkit

Public Question #1: What Indiana Voters Need to Know

Vote NO on Public Question #1

This November, Indiana voters will decide Public Question #1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would significantly expand the circumstances under which judges can deny bail before trial.

Currently, under Indiana's Constitution, people charged with murder or treason may be denied bail when the evidence against them is strong. If approved, Public Question #1 would allow judges to deny bail in a much broader range of cases if the state argues that a person poses a risk to another individual or the community.

Because this proposal would amend Indiana's Constitution, the final decision rests with voters. Public Question #1 will appear on the statewide November ballot.

Why We Oppose Public Question #1

At the foundation of our justice system is the principle that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Public Question #1 would expand the government's authority to hold people in jail before they have been convicted of a crime. As a result, more Hoosiers could be detained while awaiting trial, even though they have not been found guilty in a court of law.

Expanding pretrial detention could lead to:

More people being jailed before conviction
Increased overcrowding in local jails
Greater costs for taxpayers
Families being separated and destabilized
Loss of employment, housing, and community connections for those awaiting trial
Disproportionate impacts on communities that already experience higher rates of policing and incarceration

Indiana can prioritize public safety while also protecting constitutional rights and due process. Public Question #1 risks tipping that balance too far toward detention before conviction.

Ballot Language

Indiana voters will see the following language on their ballot:

Currently, under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a person charged with murder or treason is not entitled to be released on bail if the proof is evident or the presumption strong.

Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if:

(1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and

(2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.

Why Your Vote Matters

Constitutional amendments are among the most significant changes that can be made to Indiana law. Unlike ordinary legislation, amendments become part of the state's governing document and can have lasting effects for years to come.

Every Indiana voter will have a voice in deciding whether Public Question #1 becomes part of the Indiana Constitution.

Join us in voting NO on Public Question #1.

Help Spread the Word

Public Question #1 will affect communities across Indiana. Share this information with your friends, family, neighbors, and networks, and encourage them to learn more before voting. Below is a social media toolkit that you can use to help spread the word.

In the Social Media Toolkit below, we included a graphic in two sizes and social media copy with three captions.

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