TERRE HAUTE — Keeping Indiana’s ballot box secure
Since taking office in 2003, I’ve been fortunate as Indiana’s Chief Election Officer to work with the Indiana General Assembly, Governors O’Bannon, Kernan and Daniels and hundreds of local election officials from both parties to drive the transformation of our election process. The resulting innovations have made voting in Indiana both easier and more meaningful. These innovations include the convenience and security of Vote Centers, the ability for a voter to cast an absentee ballot in person for any reason and a comprehensive public education program that keeps voters informed of their rights and responsibilities.
Indiana has assumed a leadership position nationally when it comes to election administration, because here in our state you find the right balance of access and integrity. Acting as the fulcrum is our exemplary photo ID requirement.
The Indiana General Assembly acted on recommendations from a bipartisan national commission to artfully design a model photo ID requirement for our elections that prevents disenfranchisement, protects against vote fraud and instills voter confidence in the election process. Data from the nine successful elections conducted in Indiana since the law was enacted prove the success of these efforts as voter participation has increased.
Quite simply, having this law in place ensures that voters in Indiana are who they say they are.
This week, another attempt has been made to unravel the progress driven by the photo ID requirement. On Thursday, lawyers for the League of Women Voters tried to convince the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court that they should undo the work of our lawmakers. Their latest lawsuit against our state takes political correctness to the extreme. It challenges the well-reasoned accommodations made by the General Assembly in crafting the photo ID law that allow Hoosiers who qualify to vote absentee by mail or who reside in nursing homes to vote without ID.
Similar arguments were made two years ago before the U.S. Supreme Court and were rejected. The Court accepted that voting in person at the polls is fundamentally different from voting absentee or at ones assisted living residence. Different circumstances call for different security procedures and that is reflected in the laws written by the General Assembly.
Voting is a sacred right and responsibility that we all share. It’s an ideal part of our American culture where we truly all stand as equals — with one person, one vote. In Indiana we’ve broken away from the pack with our election advancements and we continue to empower voters and taxpayers by strengthening our electoral process. This includes upholding a balance of access and integrity, which can be found in Indiana’s photo ID law.
— Todd Rokita
Indiana Secretary of State
Keep government out of health care
When our federal government, our President and Congress propose programs or legislation that most Americans do not agree with, that government ceases to be a representative government for the American people. Those representatives elected to their representative position have chosen to replace representation with unconstitutional wield authoritarianism.
In the case of government, health care reform through unconstitutional wield authoritarianism and not through representation violates our government’s governing foundation. In both the long run and in the short run it is politically and medically unhealthy for our country, for our government and for all of us citizens.
Health care in America, health care medical insurance coverage in America, health care treatment in America, health care costs in America, can all be improved. This is no different than any other company or industry in America. But by that same token, so can our government and representation be improved.
Health care reform in America should not be initiated by our government, should not be controlled by our government and should not be changed by our government. Because the idea that if the government controls it, changes it, regulates it and mandates it, that it will be good and fair for everyone is pure and historically proven nonsense. This will only make health care bad for everyone.
— Charles Bean
Terre Haute
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