Indiana’s Own Georgia-Like Voter Suppression Bill

The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized the Indiana Republican Party for its plan to suppress ballot access for Hoosiers wishing to vote absentee in future elections. Senate Bill 353, a policy similar to Georgia’s controversial election laws, would allow deceptive intimidation tactics on voters and would sow further doubt in the overall election process. The legislation also throws all responsibility on the voters throughout the absentee ballot application process even if the state were to reject an application due to a human or clerical error. 

The Indiana Democratic Party has called on Hoosiers to take action by contacting State Representative Timothy Wesco, Chairman of the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, and demand the Committee not take up SB353 during tomorrow’s hearing scheduled for 8:30AM. Indiana Democrats firmly believe this policy is irresponsible, not rooted in common-sense, and remains a solution in search of a problem. 

“As I read Senate Bill 353, it was clear the policy’s intentions are to create a new requirement that will confuse and intimidate Hoosiers from participating in their American right to vote,” said Myla Eldridge, Marion County Clerk and Indiana Democratic Party Vice Chair. “Hoosiers should not have to be election law experts. The state should be making the ballot box more available and equitable for our voters, not throwing all the onus on them. Indiana Republicans continue to prioritize their partisan agenda ahead of fairness — and it’s going to harm the future of our state and its families in the process.”  

Senate Bill 353 fits a national trend where Republicans are trying to curtail voting rights for Americans in at least 43 states, and it’s a direct result of the 2020 presidential elections. SB353 would also prevent Governor Eric Holcomb from moving Indiana’s elections without approval from the Indiana General Assembly, similar to other forms of legislation aimed at attacking Indiana’s chief executive. In fact, SB353 fits a session theme at the Indiana General Assembly where Indiana Republicans prioritized a hyper partisan agenda over producing real solutions for Hoosier families. 

What’s worse: Senate Bill 353 originally had a line item drafted which would have required Hoosiers to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote for future elections. The effort was universally panned in other states and follows a dangerous rhetoric once deployed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and the former Trump Administration.