TERRE HAUTE — Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita believes Indiana’s new voter identification law is constitutional, despite courts shooting down similar laws in other states and a lawsuit challenging Indiana’s law.
Rokita was at the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, where a panel of federal judges heard a challenge against the new law. The Indiana Democratic Party and the American Civil Liberties Union claim the new law infringes upon Americans’ constitutional right to vote. The new law, passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, requires most people to show photo identification before voting.
In April, a federal judge upheld the law. “If people feel their vote is disenfranchised, then the voters will not come back,” Rokita, a Republican, said during a teleconference Wednesday in which he explained the reasoning behind the law.
Rokita and state Sen. Vic Heinold, R-5th, noted that the law was created to protect people from voter fraud. The law allows some exceptions to showing an ID, such as for those who have a religious objection, the indigent and people voting by absentee ballot.
But Democrats have argued that the law disenfranchises voters who lack photo identification, or have trouble finding the proper documentation — such as birth certificates — to obtain a necessary ID to vote.
“It’s a different variation, but it is the same theme as the poll tax [or] the literacy test,” said William Groth, who represents the Indiana Democratic Party in the case. “It’s a condition that is imposed on voters that will cause a certain percentage of voters to become disenfranchised, or they just won’t bother.”
Courts already have struck down voter ID laws in Missouri, Arizona and Georgia.
Heinold did not expect that the bill he sponsored would turn into a “hot potato” of a law that would be challenged in court.
Rokita noted during the teleconference that the first statewide election with the law in effect was during the primaries this year, with no major problems.
He considers voter fraud a major issue in Indiana, although Groth said that there is not one documented example of voter fraud in Indiana.
Heinold said that people committing fraud are “gone after they vote.”
“How can you come back to find them?” Heinold said during the teleconference.
Groth believes the law is “all about politics.”
“The Republican Party has decided that it’s to their political advantage to keep the number of voters who participate in the political process as low as possible,” he said.
People will need to show their IDs on Election Day, which is Nov. 7.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Austin Arceo can be reached at (812) 231-4214 or austin.arceo@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Rokita: Voter ID law is legal
GOP, Dems argue over law’s effect on disenfranchised voters
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
