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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 14

Indiana House of Representatives. 2-year term.

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What this office does

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives write and vote on state laws as part of the Indiana General Assembly. The House has 100 members, each representing one district for a two-year term [1].

The job in full — the duties the Indiana Code puts in it, the term, what it pays and who sets that, and what to ask a candidate.

Term
2 years [1]
Term limit
None [1]
Seats
100 [1]
On the 2026 ballot
All 100 [2]
What the law puts in this job (2)
  • Introduces and votes on state legislation as one of the two chambers of the Indiana General Assembly [1].
  • Must be at least 21 years old when taking office and have lived in the district for at least a year [1].

About this race

  • Vernon Smith (Democratic) is the only candidate for House District 14 [2].

Candidates on the ballot

Vernon G. Smith

DemocraticIncumbent

Work
Retired in July 2025 after 33 years as a professor of education at Indiana University Northwest [3]

Democrat Vernon G. Smith of Gary has served in the Indiana House since 1990, after serving on the Gary City Council from 1972, according to his caucus biography [3].

Smith's background

  • Joined the Indiana House in 1990 when Earline Rogers moved to the state Senate; Gary City Council member from 1972 before that [3].
  • Professor of education at Indiana University Northwest for 33 years, including as interim dean of its School of Education; retired in July 2025 after 59 years as an educator [3].
  • Earlier a teacher and principal in Gary public schools (1966–1992) [3].

How Smith got on the ballot

  • Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed, with 5,640 votes [4].
  • Has no opponent on the November ballot [2].

What we could not find about Smith

  • No opponent is on the ballot, so no candidate forum or questionnaire was expected; no 2026 campaign platform was reviewed.

Smith's record in office

Indiana House record, District 14 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
29
1 became law
Co-authored
9
3 became law
Sponsored
1
0 became law
Co-sponsored
7
7 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Education (Ranking Minority Member)
  • Local Government
  • Education, Interim Study Committee on (House Minority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 389, No 69, Excused 28, Not voting 5
  • 2024: Yes 237, No 62, Excused 9, Not voting 2
  • 2025: Yes 362, No 94, Excused 47, Not voting 7
  • 2026: Yes 285, No 80, Excused 2, Not voting 10
How Smith voted on 37 selected bills
The 46 bills Smith carried

  • HB 1482: Same day voter registration.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Permits a voter to register at the polls by completing a voter registration form and an affirmation that the individual has not voted elsewhere in the election and by providing proof of residence.

  • HB 1483: Discipline rules regarding bullying.

    2023 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must include timetables for reporting bullying incidents to parents of both the targeted student and the alleged perpetrator in an expedited manner that is not later than five business days after the incident is reported.

  • HB 1484: Citizen review board.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires: (1) counties; and (2) municipalities that have police departments; to establish a citizen review board not later than December 31, 2023, to review complaints filed by citizens having personal knowledge of alleged misconduct by a police officer.

  • HB 1485: Deferred retirement option plan.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a member of the 1925 police pension fund, 1937 firefighters' pension fund, 1953 police pension fund (Indianapolis), or 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund to withdraw from the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) and make an election to enter the DROP for a second time not earlier than three years after the date the member withdraws from the DROP.

  • HB 1486: Surrender of firearms for domestic violence crimes.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm; commits a Class A misdemeanor.

  • HB 1487: Carrying of a handgun.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires a person who carries a handgun to obtain and continuously maintain a liability insurance policy that covers losses or damages resulting from the negligent or accidental use of the handgun.

  • HB 1488: Merrillville food and beverage tax.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Authorizes the town of Merrillville to impose a food and beverage tax.

  • HB 1489: Sewer and storm water fees incurred by tenants.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes billing procedures for municipal sewage or storm water user fees assessed for real property that is occupied by someone other than the owner.

  • HB 1490: Employment discrimination claims in state court.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Expands the definition of "employer", for purposes of civil rights enforcement, to include any person employing one or more persons within the state.

  • HB 1491: Gary Community School Corporation.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Terminates the Gary Community School Corporation's (school corporation) status as a distressed political subdivision on June 30, 2024.

  • HB 1037: Enforcement of equal educational opportunity.

    2023 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Defines "antisemitism", specifies that the public policy of the state is to provide educational opportunities free of religious discrimination, and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of religion.

  • HB 1152: Cultural competency in education.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) assess and monitor school corporations and public schools regarding culturally competent practice and training in instruction and classroom management; and (2) provide technical assistance to school corporations and public schools regarding certain practices.

  • HB 1153: Educational opportunity and academic success.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education (department) to establish the division of educational opportunity and academic success (division) within the department.

  • HB 1161: Hunger-free campus grant program.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the hunger-free campus grant program (grant program) to provide grants to state educational institutions for purposes of addressing food insecurity among students enrolled in state educational institutions.

  • HB 1449: Twenty-first century scholars program.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the commission for higher education shall do the following: (1) In cooperation with the department of education, identify students who meet the requirements to participate in the twenty-first century scholars program (program).

  • HB 1638: Education matters.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the department of education (department) to report to the legislative council findings and recommendations for reducing the amount of redundant data that schools are required to submit to state agencies.

  • SB 1: Behavioral health matters.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in

  • SB 168: Statewide assessment results.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires (rather than permits) the department of education to include in a contract with a statewide assessment vendor entered into or renewed after June 30, 2023, a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results.

  • SB 4: Public health commission.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "core public health services" for purposes of public health laws.

  • SB 72: Reporting on school curriculum.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides the following: (1) Not later than October 1, 2023, each public elementary school and state accredited nonpublic elementary school shall provide to the department of education (department) information regarding whether the school provides instruction on cursive writing to students and, if cursive writing instruction is provided, the grade level of students to whom the instruction is provid

  • HB 1017: K-12 curriculum.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits certain instruction on various historical figures.

  • HB 1018: Designation of Juneteenth as state holiday.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes Juneteenth as a state holiday.

  • HB 1261: Deferred retirement option plan.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a member of the 1925 police pension fund, 1937 firefighters' pension fund, 1953 police pension fund (Indianapolis), or 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund to withdraw from the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) and make an election to enter the DROP for a second time not earlier than three years after the date the member withdrew from the DROP.

  • HB 1262: Behavioral issues in schools.

    2024 · Authored · reported from House committee; no House third-reading vote

    Permits a governing body of a school corporation to establish a disruption policy concerning student removal from and reentry to a classroom.

  • HB 1263: Elimination of money bail.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Abolishes money bail and repeals the Indiana bail law (regulating bail agents).

  • HB 1004: Pension matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment.

  • HB 1314: Deferred retirement option plan.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a member of the 1925 police pension fund, 1937 firefighters' pension fund, 1953 police pension fund (Indianapolis), or 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund to withdraw from the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) and make an election to enter the DROP for a second time not earlier than three years after the date the member withdraws from the DROP.

  • HB 1315: Designation of Juneteenth as state holiday.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes Juneteenth as a state holiday.

  • HB 1316: Sewer and storm water fees incurred by tenants.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes billing procedures for municipal sewage or storm water user fees assessed for real property that is occupied by someone other than the owner.

  • HB 1317: Surrender of firearms for domestic violence crimes.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm; commits a Class A misdemeanor.

  • HB 1318: Hoosier scam prevention board.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the Hoosier scam prevention board.

  • HB 1537: Net metering for electricity generation.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Amends the statute concerning distributed electricity generation as follows: (1) Repeals provisions requiring an electricity supplier's net metering tariff to remain available to customers until the earlier of: (A) January 1 of the first calendar year after the calendar year in which the aggregate amount of net metering facility nameplate capacity under the net metering tariff equals at least 1.5%

  • HB 1538: Nonprofit tax form simplification.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows the department of state revenue to allow exempt organizations to issue a blanket sales tax exemption certificate to cover exempt purchases from multiple vendors.

  • HB 1539: Education matters.

    2025 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Requires a public school to do the following: (1) Notify a parent of a student not later than 24 hours after the student makes an allegation that an employee of the public school engaged in misconduct.

  • HB 1540: Chronic absenteeism.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) study and make recommendations concerning the categorization of student absences; (2) create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline related to student absenteeism and the number of chronically absent students; (3) develop guidelines and requirements for certain intervention strategies and school attendance improvement plans;

  • HB 1201: Education matters.

    2025 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Defines "chronically absent".

  • HB 1350: Judicial immunity concerning electronic monitoring.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Adds judges to the list of persons immune from civil liability for certain acts or omissions that occur in connection with the statute establishing electronic monitoring standards.

  • SB 403: Charter school requirements.

    2025 · Sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Provides that access to financial data for local schools requirements apply to charter schools.

  • HB 1081: Hoosier scam prevention board.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the Hoosier scam prevention board.

  • HB 1082: Shared labor to conduct referendum.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a charter school that will participate in an operating referendum tax levy or school safety referendum tax levy must contribute a proportionate share of the labor (in addition to the cost under current law) to conduct the referendum based on the total combined average daily membership of the school corporation and any participating charter schools.

  • HB 1299: Surrender of firearms for domestic violence crimes.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm; commits a Class A misdemeanor.

  • HB 1300: Deferred retirement option plan.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Allows a member of the 1925 police pension fund, 1937 firefighters' pension fund, 1953 police pension fund (Indianapolis), or 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund to withdraw from the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) and make an election to enter the DROP for a second time not earlier than three years after the date the member withdraws from the DROP.

  • HB 1301: Sentence modification.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of correction to issue a certificate of eligibility for rehabilitative release (certificate) to certain convicted persons.

  • SB 232: Real property appraisals.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows the city of Gary to hire an appraiser to conduct appraisals of residential and commercial properties to assist the city with disposing of the city's real property.

  • SB 27: Stadium authority.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the northwest Indiana stadium authority (stadium authority) for the purpose of acquiring and financing certain facilities.

  • SB 78: Wireless communication device policy.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends definitions, requirements, restrictions, and exceptions regarding wireless communication device policies adopted and implemented by school corporations and charter schools.

How this record was put together, and what it does not show

What we list: 28 bills chosen by a rule that does not look at topic: both state budgets, four bills named in advance, the 2025-26 redistricting bill, and in each session and chamber the 3 bills whose final-passage vote drew the most “nay” votes.

  • Votes reflect party caucus dynamics. Indiana has Republican supermajorities in both chambers, and many floor votes split along party lines; a single vote says little without the bill and its context.
  • Bills often die for procedural reasons, such as no committee hearing or a deadline, and a bill marked “not reported from committee” may have become law inside another bill.
  • A third-reading vote is on the version in front of the chamber at that time; the final version can be very different.
  • Authoring and co-authoring are different: co-authors sign on, often in large numbers, and usually did not write the bill.
  • Attendance counts roll calls on bills and joint resolutions (about 89% of numbered roll calls). “Excused” is an absence the chamber approved; “not voting” means no vote was recorded.

Where Smith's record came from

Sources for Smith

Key points

Sources

Researched Tuesday, October 13, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. Member page: State Representative (Indiana House Democratic Caucus)
  4. 2026 Primary Election results (certified), Indiana Election Night Reporting (Indiana Election Division)
What's included
the U.S. House, statewide offices, every Indiana House and Senate district on the ballot, Indiana's statewide public questions and judicial retention questions, and county, township, city, town and school board races from the Indiana Election Division's candidate list.
Everything else
Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: IndianaVoters.in.gov.
Candidate lists
As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
At the polls
Indiana law lets you bring a list of candidates and public questions into the polling place, including one stored on your phone, as long as you don't electioneer. IC 3-11-8-18.5

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.