(a)This section applies to third class cities,
except as provided by section 5 of this chapter.
(b)This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance
described by subsection (j) or (m). The legislative body shall adopt an
ordinance to divide the city into five (5) districts that:
(1)are composed of contiguous territory, except for territory that
is not contiguous to any other part of the city;
(2)are reasonably compact;
(3)do not cross precinct boundary lines except as provided in
subsection (c) or (d); and
(4)contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.
(c)The boundary of a city legislative body district may cross a
precinct boundary line if:
(1)more than one (1) member of the legislative body elected from
the districts established under subsection (b), (j), or (m)
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(a) This section applies to third class cities,
except as provided by section 5 of this chapter.
(b) This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance
described by subsection (j) or (m). The legislative body shall adopt an
ordinance to divide the city into five (5) districts that:
(1) are composed of contiguous territory, except for territory that
is not contiguous to any other part of the city;
(2) are reasonably compact;
(3) do not cross precinct boundary lines except as provided in
subsection (c) or (d); and
(4) contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.
(c) The boundary of a city legislative body district may cross a
precinct boundary line if:
(1) more than one (1) member of the legislative body elected from
the districts established under subsection (b), (j), or (m) resides in
one (1) precinct established under IC 3-11-1.5 after the most
recent municipal election; and
(2) following the establishment of a legislative body district
whose boundary crosses a precinct boundary line, not more than
one (1) member of the legislative body elected from the districts
resides within the same city legislative body district.
(d) The boundary of a city legislative body district may cross a
precinct line if the districts would not otherwise contain, as nearly as
is possible, equal population.
(e) A city legislative body district with a boundary described by
subsection (c) or (d) may not cross a census block boundary line:
(1) except when following a precinct boundary line; or
(2) unless the city legislative body certifies in the ordinance that
the census block has no population, and is not likely to ever have
population.
(f) The legislative body may not adopt an ordinance dividing the city
into districts with boundaries described by subsection (c) or (d) unless
the clerk of the city mails a written notice to the circuit court clerk. The
notice must:
(1) state that the legislative body is considering the adoption of an
ordinance described by this subsection; and
(2) be mailed not later than ten (10) days before the legislative
body adopts the ordinance.
(g) Except as provided in subsection (o), the division under
subsection (b), (j), or (m) shall be made only at times permitted under
IC 3-5-10.
(h) This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance
described by subsection (j) or (m). The legislative body is composed of
five (5) members elected from the districts established under
subsection (b) and two (2) at-large members.
(i) This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance
described by subsection (j) or (m). Each voter of the city may vote for
two (2) candidates for at-large membership and one (1) candidate from
the district in which the voter resides. The two (2) at-large candidates
receiving the most votes from the whole city and the district candidates
receiving the most votes from their respective districts are elected to
the legislative body.
(j) A city may adopt an ordinance under this subsection to divide the
city into four (4) districts that:
(1) are composed of contiguous territory;
(2) are reasonably compact;
(3) do not cross precinct boundary lines, except as provided in
subsection (c) or (d); and
(4) contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.
(k) This subsection applies to a city with an ordinance described by
subsection (j). The legislative body is composed of four (4) members
elected from the districts established under subsection (j) and three (3)
at-large members.
(l) This subsection applies to a city with an ordinance described by
subsection (j). Each voter of the city may vote for three (3) candidates
for at-large membership and one (1) candidate from the district in
which the voter resides. The three (3) at-large candidates receiving the
most votes from the whole city and the district candidates receiving the
most votes from their respective districts are elected to the legislative
body.
(m) This subsection applies only if the ordinance adopted under IC 36-4-1.5-3 by the town legislative body of a town that has a population
of less than ten thousand (10,000) and that becomes a city specifies that
the city legislative body districts are governed by this subsection. The
ordinance adopted under IC 36-4-1.5-3(b)(1) dividing the town into
city legislative body districts may provide that:
(1) the city shall be divided into three (3) districts that:
(A) are composed of contiguous territory;
(B) are reasonably compact;
(C) do not cross precinct boundary lines, except as provided in
subsection (c) or (d); and
(D) contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population; and
(2) the legislative body of the city is composed of three (3)
members elected from the districts established under this
subsection and two (2) at-large members.
Each voter of the city may vote for two (2) candidates for at-large
membership and one (1) candidate from the district in which the voter
resides. The two (2) at-large candidates receiving the most votes from
the whole city and the district candidates receiving the most votes from
their respective districts are elected to the legislative body.
(n) A copy of the ordinance establishing districts or a recertification
adopted under this section must be filed with the circuit court clerk of
the county that contains the greatest population of the city no later than
thirty (30) days after the ordinance or recertification is adopted. The
filing must include a map of the district boundaries:
(1) adopted under subsection (b), (j), or (m); or
(2) recertified under subsection (o).
(o) If the legislative body determines that a division under
subsection (g) is not required, the legislative body shall adopt an
ordinance recertifying that the districts as drawn comply with this
section.
(p) The limitations set forth in this section are part of the ordinance,
but do not have to be specifically set forth in the ordinance. The
ordinance must be construed, if possible, to comply with this chapter.
If a provision of the ordinance or an application of the ordinance
violates this chapter, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions
or applications of the ordinance that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application. The provisions of the ordinance are
severable.
(q) IC 3-5-10 applies to a plan established under this section.
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-2-1-8
part; 18-2-12-1 part.]
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.3. Amended by Acts
1980, P.L.73, SEC.7; Acts 1981, P.L.44, SEC.43; P.L.13-1988,
SEC.17; P.L.5-1989, SEC.102; P.L.7-1990, SEC.59; P.L.4-1991,
SEC.141; P.L.1-1992, SEC.184; P.L.3-1993, SEC.266; P.L.230-2005,
SEC.86; P.L.169-2006, SEC.51; P.L.271-2013, SEC.50; P.L.169-2022,
SEC.16.