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St. Joseph County Ballot Study Guide

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Federal

U.S. House Indiana District 2

Purpose: Represents the congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Responsible for voting on federal legislation, setting federal budgets, introducing bills, and assisting constituents with federal agency matters.

State of Indiana

Indiana Public Question 1, Bailable Offenses and Substantial Risk Standard Amendment (2026)

Purpose: Proposes amending the Indiana Constitution regarding pre-trial release. It would allow courts to deny bail for non-capital offenses if there is strong proof of the crime and clear evidence that the accused poses a substantial safety risk to another person or the community.

Indiana Public Question 2, Residency Requirements for City and Town Court Judges Amendment (2026)

Purpose: Addresses constitutional requirements regarding where city and town court judges must reside or maintain their offices during their term of service.

Indiana Secretary of State

Purpose: Serves as the state’s chief election official. Oversees election administration, voter registration systems, business registrations and filings, and securities regulation across Indiana.

Indiana Comptroller of State (formerly State Auditor)

Purpose: Functions as the chief financial officer for state government. Responsible for accounting for state funds, processing payroll for state employees, and issuing payments on behalf of state agencies.

Indiana Treasurer

Purpose: Acts as the chief investment officer and custodian of state money. Manages state funds, oversees public investment portfolios, and administers statewide programs such as college savings plans.

Indiana House of Representatives District 8

Purpose: Drafts, debates, and votes on state laws, the state biennial budget, and tax policies affecting the state legislative district and Indiana residents.

Indiana Court of Appeals 4th District (retention vote)

Purpose: Nonpartisan retention votes where electors decide whether sitting appellate judges should remain in office for another term. Appellate judges review legal decisions and appeals from trial courts.

A retention vote (or retention election) is a process used in several U.S. states to decide whether a judge should remain in office for another term.

Unlike standard elections where two or more candidates compete against each other, a retention vote features only the sitting judge and no opposing candidates.

How It Works

  • The Ballot Question: Voters are asked a simple “Yes” or “No” question—typically phrased as: “Should Judge [Name] be retained in office?”
  • The Threshold: If a majority of voters choose Yes, the judge earns another term. If a majority votes No, the judge is removed from office at the end of their current term, creating a vacancy for a new judicial appointment.

Accountability Check: After serving an initial term, judges must face a retention vote so the public can evaluate their performance, conduct, and adherence to the law without requiring them to engage in traditional partisan campaigning or fundraising.

Indiana Court of Appeals 5th District (retention vote)

Purpose: Nonpartisan retention votes where electors decide whether sitting appellate judges should remain in office for another term. Appellate judges review legal decisions and appeals from trial courts.

A retention vote (or retention election) is a process used in several U.S. states to decide whether a judge should remain in office for another term.

Unlike standard elections where two or more candidates compete against each other, a retention vote features only the sitting judge and no opposing candidates.

How It Works
  • The Ballot Question: Voters are asked a simple “Yes” or “No” question—typically phrased as: “Should Judge [Name] be retained in office?”
  • The Threshold: If a majority of voters choose Yes, the judge earns another term. If a majority votes No, the judge is removed from office at the end of their current term, creating a vacancy for a new judicial appointment.

Accountability Check: After serving an initial term, judges must face a retention vote so the public can evaluate their performance, conduct, and adherence to the law without requiring them to engage in traditional partisan campaigning or fundraising.

Indiana Tax Court

Purpose: Retention vote to determine if the sitting Tax Court judge remains in office. The Tax Court has exclusive jurisdiction over cases arising under Indiana tax laws.

Local elections in your area

St. Joseph County Assessor

Purpose: Determines the fair market value of all real and personal property within the county to establish the assessment base for property tax calculations.

St. Joseph County Auditor

Purpose: Oversees the county’s official financial records, handles property tax calculations and deductions, administers payroll for county employees, and processes official county payments.

St. Joseph County Commissioner, District 1

Purpose: Serves as part of the county’s executive administrative body. Responsible for managing county property, maintaining public roads and infrastructure, and administering county departments.

St. Joseph County Council (Districts A, B, C, E, H)

Purpose: Serves as the fiscal and legislative body of the county government. Responsible for adopting the annual budget, setting local tax rates, and authorizing county expenditures.

District A

District B

District C

District E

District H

St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney

Purpose: Serves as the chief law enforcement officer and legal prosecutor for the judicial circuit. Responsible for investigating and prosecuting state criminal offenses within the county.

St. Joseph County Sheriff

Purpose: Serves as the chief law enforcement officer for county-wide jurisdiction, oversees the county jail facility, executes court orders, and provides security for county courts.

South Bend Community School Corporation school board

Purpose: Establishes administrative policies, hires and evaluates the superintendent, sets the annual school district operating budget, and oversees educational initiatives for local public schools.

District 1

District 2

District 5

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Clerk

Purpose: Manages court records, official filings, court receipts, and judgments for the circuit and superior courts. Also serves as the official secretary to the county election board and manages local voter administration.

St. Joseph County Superior Court (retention vote)

Purpose: Preside over trial court proceedings, including felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, and probate matters within the county court system.

A retention vote (or retention election) is a process used in several U.S. states to decide whether a judge should remain in office for another term.

Unlike standard elections where two or more candidates compete against each other, a retention vote features only the sitting judge and no opposing candidates.

How It Works
  • The Ballot Question: Voters are asked a simple “Yes” or “No” question—typically phrased as: “Should Judge [Name] be retained in office?”
  • The Threshold: If a majority of voters choose Yes, the judge earns another term. If a majority votes No, the judge is removed from office at the end of their current term, creating a vacancy for a new judicial appointment.

Accountability Check: After serving an initial term, judges must face a retention vote so the public can evaluate their performance, conduct, and adherence to the law without requiring them to engage in traditional partisan campaigning or fundraising.

St. Joseph County Superior Court (retention vote)

Purpose: Preside over trial court proceedings, including felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, and probate matters within the county court system.

A retention vote (or retention election) is a process used in several U.S. states to decide whether a judge should remain in office for another term.

Unlike standard elections where two or more candidates compete against each other, a retention vote features only the sitting judge and no opposing candidates.

How It Works
  • The Ballot Question: Voters are asked a simple “Yes” or “No” question—typically phrased as: “Should Judge [Name] be retained in office?”
  • The Threshold: If a majority of voters choose Yes, the judge earns another term. If a majority votes No, the judge is removed from office at the end of their current term, creating a vacancy for a new judicial appointment.

Accountability Check: After serving an initial term, judges must face a retention vote so the public can evaluate their performance, conduct, and adherence to the law without requiring them to engage in traditional partisan campaigning or fundraising.

  • David L. Francisco (Incumbent) – Nonpartisan

Portage Township Board (St. Joseph County)

Purpose: Functions as the legislative and fiscal authority for the township, reviewing and approving the township budget, tax levies, and official operational expenditures.

3 seats up for election

Portage Township Trustee (St. Joseph County)

Purpose: Acts as the executive officer of the township, administering township assistance for residents in need, managing township properties, and providing local fire protection and emergency services where applicable.

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