Indianapolis Public Schools Operating Referendum Public Question (Indianapolis Public Education Corporation)
Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana
My vote power
High
Election date
November 3, 2026
Indianapolis Public Schools Operating Referendum Public Question (Indianapolis Public Education Corporation) is a ballot measure in Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Raises the school property tax in the IPS area to up to 37.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for four years, raising up to $95 million a year split about evenly between Indianapolis Public Schools and charter schools. It replaces an expiring 19.6-cent tax; a $150,000 home pays about $115 more.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.
Representation: Above average · 64 out of 100
This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 320,504 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(6,851,073 ÷ 320,504) ÷ ln(50,000) = 64.15, measured against a statewide vote in IN (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.
What does this measure do?
Supports: Public Education Quality
Raises the school property tax in the IPS area to up to 37.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for four years, raising up to $95 million a year split about evenly between Indianapolis Public Schools and charter schools. It replaces an expiring 19.6-cent tax; a $150,000 home pays about $115 more.
Read the official ballot measure (PDF)
A YES vote means
IPS and about 60 charter schools share up to $95 million a year for four years for teacher pay, staff retention, and student support programs.
A NO vote means
The 2018 referendum tax expires, IPS loses that revenue, and district leaders say deep cuts and possible state intervention follow.
Sources: myips.org · chalkbeat.org · mirrorindy.org
Sources: dlgf.in.gov · chalkbeat.org · mirrorindy.org
Last updated September 24, 2026.