Republican lawmakers have proposed bills to cut the time for early voting from 28 days to 14 and to ban college students from using their student ID to vote.
Authored by State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrnesville), Senate Bill 284 originally called for the early voting period to be shortened to seven days.
Byrne and proponents of the bill argue that the early voting centers are fully staffed during the 28-day period, despite lack of participation within the first 14 days.
Proponents also argue that new information may come to light about candidates and voters may want to change their vote. If they vote early, it’s not possible.
Critics of the bill, including Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl, argue it is voter suppression.
“In moving to axe Indiana’s popular early voting window, Republicans have shown once again that they don’t really want people to vote or care about our state’s abysmal voter participation rates,” Schmuhl said. “Just last year, places across Indiana had long lines as people waited to cast their ballots. More people voting should be the goal — not restricting it even further.”
Senate Bill 10, authored by State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen), would mean students at Indiana public colleges would no longer be able to use their school IDs as identification when at the polls.
Doriot and supporters argue the school IDs don’t offer the same level of official identification as other forms.
Currently, student IDs cannot be used to register to vote, only as proof of identification when voting.
Opponents argue the bill limits out-of-state or long-distance students’ ability to vote. They argue many students do not drive on campus or have a car, therefore may not have a current license to show.
Both bills will be going to the full Senate for further consideration. This is an ongoing story and will be updated as new information comes to light.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
