Pryor offers amendments to increase voter participation, protection

INDIANAPOLIS — State Representative Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) proposed several amendments today regarding Indiana’s elections. 

“It’s our job to ensure elections and voting are accessible to all people,” Pryor said. “With every change we make to our election system, we must make sure those changes are made with the purpose to protect and pursue the people’s constitutional right to vote.”

Pryor offered Amendment #1 to House Bill 1479 on early voting. It would add a voting location for every 5,000 active voters in counties that have at least 25,000 active voters. Currently, there is a voting center for every 10,000 active voters in these counties. This would affect three counties that would need to add voter centers.

“Voting should be accessible, and it’s as simple as that,” Pryor said. “More locations encourage turnout, and it also reduces long lines which are a deterrent.”

The amendment was defeated 29-61.

“I’m extremely disappointed in the legislators who voted against voter participation,” Pryor said. “These same legislators also voted down another amendment that would allow no-excuse absentee ballots, saying people should just vote in-person. And then they refuse to increase voting locations. These actions clearly speak to an effort that will hinder voter participation.”

Pryor’s Amendment #12 to House Bill 1365 would keep the current law that poll watchers must be registered voters inside the county. The bill would allow chairs to appoint registered voters outside the county.

Pryor is concerned about voter intimidation and voter suppression by people who can come in from outside the county. Counties also have different election laws, which could confuse poll watchers from a different county.

“The presence of poll watchers is supposed to reassure voters that the election is safe and secure,” Pryor said. “Requiring that they’re from the same county instills trust in the community that they will be vigilant of the process.”

The amendment was defeated 29-61.

Amendment #8 to the same bill would require candidates filing for federal, state and local offices to pledge to a peaceful transfer of power whether they win or not. The amendment would also apply to candidates in primary elections.

“This is not a Democrat or a Republican issue,” Pryor said. “An elected official should not be prevented from being prepared on day one just because the losing candidate is holding sour grapes.”

The amendment was voted down by 24-67.