What is the Public Question?

By Nick Windsor and Isaac Wolf

Nov 5, marks the day of the presidential election and the ballot loaded with new and familiar names as residents mark who they want to see in office.  

For Indiana residents this year’s presidential election has a public question on the ballot.  

This question proposes the removal the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of five other top state officials who would need to step into the governor’s role under extreme circumstances. The exact position, last held by Jennifer McCormick, no longer exists. 

The question reads, “Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant?” 

Joe Lewis is a resident of Marion and gave his thoughts on the question.  

“I’m not in favor for changing the constitution for something like that it’s supposed to be the way, it was established that way, and we’re going to keep it that way,” Lewis said.  

If approved, the state superintendent of public instruction would be removed from the list of those who would take over the governor’s role if the lieutenant governor’s position was also empty.  

This change is a result of legislature approving to send the decision to voters, as well as updating outdated language in the constitution since the position no longer exists.  

The final step of ratifying the amendment is for it to be approved by the majority of Hoosiers in the general election. 

“I mean it relates as I understand to the succession of the governor in the case of a catastrophe so it’s an important question certainly is just like the line of succession for the White House,” Lewis said.