AGP Executive Report

Election Day: Hoosiers vote Tuesday in contests that could test Republicans’ legislative supermajorities and their winning streak in statewide races. Secretary of State candidates Beau Bayh and Max Engling face off, while voters will consider a bail-related constitutional amendment, school referendums and a proposed Fort Wayne-area casino. Polls close at 6 p.m. Road Funding: Gov. Mike Braun announced nearly $110 million in matching grants for road and bridge work in 346 Indiana communities. Immigration Detention: A new class-action lawsuit accuses officials of unconstitutional conditions at Miami Correctional Facility, where immigrants are held; plaintiffs allege hunger, inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions. Death Penalty: The state has rejected a death-row inmate’s request for additional brain scans as Gov. Braun considers his clemency petition; his execution remains scheduled for next week.

Election Day: Indiana voters face competitive races Tuesday, including closely watched secretary of state and comptroller contests. Marion County reported nearly 80,000 early voters, up from about 42,500 in 2022; federal monitors are expected to observe from outside polling sites, and voters may choose whether to speak with them. Roads and Taxes: Gov. Mike Braun says he is likely to extend the gas-tax pause through early December and wants to expand Community Crossings grants for local road projects. Indiana collected $889.1 million in license taxes in 2024, up 2.7% and 23rd among states. Public Safety: Seven people were wounded in a Sunday shooting near Indiana University’s campus; all were reported stable, and an 18-year-old was arrested, though police have not determined whether he fired a weapon. Local Government: Former Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis, who served 24 years, has died at 79.

Election Watch: Indiana voters head to the polls Tuesday in closely watched state and congressional races. The 5th District contest has tightened, though Rep. Victoria Spartz still leads Democrat Brad Meyer; the secretary of state race is also drawing scrutiny over campaign finance and advertising. Federal election monitors are slated to observe in Indiana, but officials say they will remain outside polling sites. State Government: Gov. Mike Braun directed utility regulators to speed up reviews of rate-reduction filings, while launching a Midwest drone testing site to advance defense technology and manufacturing. Local Investment: The state is distributing nearly $110 million for road and bridge improvements across Indiana, including awards to counties such as Tipton, Carroll and Howard.

Election Oversight: The Justice Department plans to send election monitors to Indiana communities, including New Haven, as officials say monitors will not enter polling places. The deployment has fueled debate over election security just days before voters head to the polls. Close Races: Indiana’s 5th District contest is tightening, though Republican Victoria Spartz still leads Democrat Beth Ford. The secretary of state race is also drawing scrutiny, with candidates debating election administration and oversight. Utility Costs: Gov. Mike Braun has directed state utility regulators to speed up reviews of rate-reduction filings, seeking quicker relief for customers. Defense and Infrastructure: Indiana’s military drone-testing role is expanding, with the Army adding National Guard sites to its program. Separately, nearly $110 million in state matching grants will fund local road and bridge work across Indiana.

Defense and Jobs: Gov. Mike Braun launched Indiana’s Midwest drone test site in Terre Haute, a new FAA-designated network for flight testing aimed at attracting defense and aerospace investment. Election Watch: Indiana heads into Tuesday’s midterms with the 5th District race tightening: a recent poll put Democrat J.D. Ford within the margin of error against Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz, and Cook Political Report shifted the contest to “Leans Republican.” Voting and Ballot Issues: Early voting is drawing strong turnout, while officials say federal election monitors will not enter Indiana polling sites. Voters will also decide two constitutional amendments and whether to retain three statewide judges. State Government: Braun directed utility regulators to speed reviews of rate-reduction filings. Separately, nearly $110 million in state matching grants will support local road and bridge work; Tipton County communities are set to receive more than $1 million. Defense Industry: Rep. Jim Baird and a Treasury Department official toured Saab’s West Lafayette facility, highlighting its manufacturing jobs and ties to Purdue and Ivy Tech.

Midterm Watch: Indiana’s secretary of state race shifted to “Lean Democrat,” while the 5th Congressional District moved to “Lean Republican” as Election Day nears. Republicans are urging supporters to turn out and stick with the party; analysts say turnout could decide both contests. Election Oversight: Federal monitors plan to observe in Indiana, but state and local officials say they will stay outside polling places. Attorney General Todd Rokita supports the deployment, while U.S. Rep. André Carson has questioned it. Ballot Decisions: Hoosiers will also vote on two constitutional amendments and retention of three statewide judges. Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith have taken different positions on the amendments. Indianapolis Schools: Voters will decide on a proposed $95 million property-tax increase split between IPS and charter schools. The funding could help charters but may leave the district short of money for services it provides to partner schools.

Election Oversight: Indiana officials say federal Justice Department monitors will observe voters from outside polling places on Nov. 3, not enter them. The DOJ plans roughly 1,000 monitors nationwide; Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana’s elections are secure, while Attorney General Todd Rokita supports the deployment. Midterm Watch: Early voting is running ahead of 2022 levels statewide as Hoosiers prepare to decide congressional, state and local races. Local Politics: A new Indiana law lets school-board candidates list party affiliations, bringing partisan labels into races once officially nonpartisan. Data centers have also emerged as a local campaign issue. State Government: Braun rejected a death-row inmate’s request for brain scans ahead of an execution. Courts: Indiana Supreme Court justices are weighing whether a DeMotte golf course must stop errant balls from landing on a neighbor’s property. Immigration: A civil-rights lawsuit alleges inhumane conditions at Indiana’s ICE detention facility.

Election Oversight: Federal Justice Department monitors will observe voting from outside polling sites in Marion and Lake counties and may conduct voluntary exit interviews. Indiana officials say the monitors will not enter polling places, while Secretary of State candidate Max Engling and Democrat Beau Bayh make a final push in a closely watched race. School Funding: Indianapolis Public Education Corporation leaders warn that failure of the $95 million referendum could put IPS at risk of insolvency and state takeover. Local Investment: Gov. Mike Braun announced nearly $110 million in state grants for local road and bridge projects, while Indiana’s Army training sites at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck were selected for expanded commercial drone and counter-drone testing. Immigrant Detention: Civil rights groups have sued over alleged unconstitutional conditions at Miami Correctional Facility, where immigrants are held alongside state prisoners. Voter Access: Early voting is underway across Indiana, with Fort Wayne groups offering free rides to help residents reach the polls.

Election Oversight: Federal monitors are headed to Lake and Marion counties for Election Day, prompting debate over federal involvement. Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana’s elections are secure, while Secretary of State Todd Rokita welcomed the monitors; state officials say they won’t enter polling sites. Races and Ballot Questions: Hoosiers vote Nov. 3 on competitive state legislative contests and a constitutional amendment on bail rights. The secretary of state race is also shadowed by a campaign-finance dispute, as Braun rejected a request from candidate Greg Ballard for an Election Commission meeting. Data Centers: Their land, water and power demands have become a local campaign issue. A poll found 69% of likely Indiana voters oppose new data centers, though few ranked them a top concern. Voter Access: The BMV will extend branch hours Monday and Election Day, including free state IDs for eligible voters who need them.

Election Oversight: DOJ plans to send monitors to Lake and Marion counties on Nov. 3. Marion County says up to 12 plainclothes monitors may visit; Gov. Mike Braun says Indiana elections are secure, while state officials and Democrats debate the federal plan’s scope. On the Ballot: Hoosiers will decide a bail-rights amendment and key state and local races. Indianapolis voters will elect a new IPS board as state-created oversight reshapes its authority; data-center growth is also a campaign issue in some communities. State Policy: Indiana’s new Medicaid “medical frailty” rules could exempt about 140,000 people from upcoming work requirements, though advocates worry the criteria may leave some people with HIV out. Defense and Jobs: The Army added Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck to its commercial drone-testing program, bringing new military research opportunities to Indiana.

Election Oversight: A judge rejected secretary of state candidate Greg Ballard’s bid to force the Indiana Election Commission to meet before Election Day on complaints against rivals Max Engling and Beau Bayh. Attorney General Todd Rokita welcomed federal election monitors headed to Lake and Marion counties, while Democrats have questioned the DOJ’s decision. Key Races: Indiana’s 2nd District candidates debated affordability, the Iran war and data centers, while Republicans’ late spending has widened their cash advantage in legislative contests. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide whether to expand judges’ discretion to deny bail; the BMV is extending hours Nov. 2 and 3 to help residents get voting ID.

Election Oversight: Federal monitors are set to observe voting in Marion and Lake counties on Nov. 3, drawing support from Attorney General Todd Rokita and concern from voter advocates. Campaign Disputes: Gov. Mike Braun declined Greg Ballard’s request to order the Indiana Election Commission to meet before Election Day on campaign complaints against secretary of state candidates Max Engling and Beau Bayh; a judge also rejected Ballard’s bid. Voting Rules: IU students can no longer use CrimsonCards at the polls under a 2025 law; a lawsuit challenging the ban is ongoing. Indiana BMVs are extending hours to help voters get IDs. Races and Ballot Questions: Republicans are pouring late money into competitive legislative races as they seek to retain their General Assembly supermajority. Voters will also decide whether to expand the state’s authority to deny bail on public-safety grounds. Voting Case: Rokita and a Vigo County prosecutor filed felony charges in an alleged illegal voting case.

Election Access: Indiana BMV branches will extend hours Nov. 2 and 3 to help voters obtain ID, while early voting continues through Nov. 2. Federal Monitors: DOJ plans to send election monitors to Marion and Lake counties. Attorney General Todd Rokita welcomed the move; state Senate Democrats have questioned it. Campaign Oversight: A judge rejected Greg Ballard’s bid to force the Indiana Election Commission to hear complaints against his secretary of state rivals before Election Day, citing the risk of voter confusion. Local Races: Data centers have become a defining issue in some county contests, with candidates facing pressure to take a stand on projects and local oversight.

Election Oversight: The Justice Department plans to send monitors to polling places in Marion and Lake counties on Nov. 3. Attorney General Todd Rokita welcomed the move, while Indiana Senate Democrats and local officials questioned the decision. Campaign Finance: A judge rejected independent candidate Greg Ballard’s bid to force the Indiana Election Commission to hear complaints against secretary of state candidates Max Engling and Beau Bayh before Election Day; the commission is set to meet Nov. 20. Voting: Early voting has expanded in Allen County, where officials hope turnout reaches 45%—well above the May primary’s 14.5%. ACLU Turmoil: The Indiana ACLU paused its incoming director’s start and launched an outside review after four of its five top attorneys resigned amid allegations involving antisemitism. Energy: Hoosier Energy, the state and Canadian firm AtkinsRéalis agreed to study sites for as much as 6 gigawatts of nuclear power in Indiana.

Election Oversight: The Justice Department plans to send election observers to Marion and Lake counties on Nov. 3, drawing questions from Rep. André Carson and concern from Marion County’s clerk. Secretary of State Race: Democrat Beau Bayh and Republican Max Engling are clashing over the office’s credibility; President Trump and Vice President Vance have endorsed Engling. Voting Access: Allen County has added satellite early-voting sites, while Indianapolis voters also have expanded options ahead of Election Day. State Government: Four senior ACLU of Indiana attorneys have resigned amid controversy over the organization’s incoming director. Courts: Indiana’s bid to penalize Planned Parenthood for referring patients to out-of-state abortion providers was rejected by an appeals court. Energy: Amazon-backed X-energy announced plans for a 960-megawatt nuclear plant at a retired AEP coal site in Indiana.

Google Data Center: More than 50 people gathered at a southeast Allen County homeowner’s property to raise concerns about construction impacts from Google’s proposed 12-building, 892-acre site. Election Oversight: Federal monitors are expected in Marion and Lake counties on Election Day. The Marion County clerk says the reason is unclear; DOJ says monitors will observe, not interfere. Rep. Andre Carson questioned the county selection. Bail Amendment: Hoosiers will vote on a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail in more cases when the evidence is strong; current rules reserve that power for murder and treason charges. ACLU Shake-Up: Four of five top Indiana ACLU attorneys have resigned amid allegations concerning incoming director Nikkita Oliver. The organization has paused Oliver’s start and launched an external review. Campaigns and Statehouse: Secretary of State candidates Diego Morales? Wait, Engling and Ballard are clashing over restoring credibility to the office. State Sen. Ron Alting has resigned amid shoplifting allegations.