Sec. 5. (a) This section applies to third class cities having a population of less than ten thousand (10,000). The legislative body of such a city may, by ordinance adopted after June 30, 2010, and during a year in which an election of the legislative body will not occur, decide to be governed by this section instead of section 4 of this chapter. The legislative body districts created by an ordinance adopted under this subsection apply to the first election of the legislative body held after the date the ordinance is adopted. The clerk of the legislative body shall send a certified copy of any ordinance adopted under this subsection to the secretary of the county election board.

     (b) This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance described by subsection (j). The legislative body shall adopt an ordinance to divide the city into four (4) 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) or (j) 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) or (j) 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). The legislative body is composed of four (4) members elected from the districts established under subsection (b) and one (1) at-large member.

     (i) This subsection does not apply to a city with an ordinance described by subsection (j). Each voter may vote for one (1) candidate for at-large membership and one (1) candidate from the district in which the voter resides. The at-large candidate 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 three (3) 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.

     (k) This subsection applies to a city with an ordinance described by subsection (j). The legislative body is composed of three (3) members elected from the districts established under subsection (j) and two (2) 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 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.

     (m) This subsection applies to a city having a population of less than seven thousand (7,000). A legislative body of such a city that has, by resolution adopted before May 7, 1991, decided to continue an election process that permits each voter of the city to vote for one (1) candidate at large and one (1) candidate from each of its four (4) council districts may hold elections using that voting arrangement. The at-large candidate and the candidate from each district receiving the most votes from the whole city are elected to the legislative body. The districts established in cities adopting such a resolution may cross precinct boundary lines.

     (n) A copy of the ordinance establishing districts or a recertification under this section must be filed with the circuit court clerk of the county that contains the greatest population of the city not 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) or (j); or

(2) recertified under subsection (o).

     (o) If the legislative body determines that a division under subsection (b) or (j) 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 Citation: 18-2-1-8 part.]

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.3. Amended by Acts 1980, P.L.73, SEC.8; Acts 1981, P.L.44, SEC.44; P.L.13-1988, SEC.18; P.L.5-1989, SEC.103; P.L.7-1990, SEC.60; P.L.4-1991, SEC.142; P.L.1-1992, SEC.185; P.L.3-1993, SEC.267; P.L.230-2005, SEC.87; P.L.113-2010, SEC.121; P.L.271-2013, SEC.51; P.L.169-2022, SEC.17.