Braun backs one of two Indiana ballot amendments

Braun supports the bail amendment

Gov. Mike Braun is urging Indiana voters to approve Public Question One, which would give judges more authority to deny bail to certain defendants considered a serious threat to public safety.

Braun said the question requires voters to weigh civil liberties against public safety. He favors giving communities additional options for dealing with repeat offenders and said public-safety concerns should take priority.

Braun also criticized how some criminal cases are handled in Indianapolis. He argued that police officers may do their jobs but that cases can fall short when they reach the prosecutor’s office. He said the proposed amendment would give places such as Marion County another tool to address those concerns.

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith opposes Public Question One. Beckwith said increasing judges’ authority to deny bail could weaken due-process protections and the presumption of innocence.

Braun opposes the residency amendment

Braun opposes Public Question Two, which would change where city and town court judges may live. The amendment would allow those judges to reside elsewhere in the county where the court is located or in a qualifying neighboring county.

The proposal is intended to increase the number of people eligible to seek local judgeships, particularly in smaller communities. Braun said voters should reject the change.

Beckwith also opposes Public Question Two and has urged voters to vote against both proposed amendments. Braun and Beckwith therefore agree on the residency question but differ on the bail question.

Both proposed constitutional amendments will appear on Indiana’s Nov. 3 ballot. Braun also encouraged Indiana residents to participate in the election.