Rep. John Bartlett’s efforts for voter fairness received a small boost today

INDIANAPOLIS – Efforts by State Representative John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) to increase voter fairness in Indiana took baby steps today with the Indiana House enacting his amendment that creates a study committee to examine how election laws affect voting.

His amendment was added to House Bill 1472, authored by State Rep. Timothy Wesco (R-Osceola), which provides that the adoption, rescission, or amendment of a vote center plan may be taken by a majority vote of all members of a county election board.

Bartlett’s amendment creates a study committee that will examine how policy changes to Indiana election law have affected voting in Indiana from 2000 through 2016 regarding voter participation and election results.

This is essential since Indiana’s voter turnout was the 11th-worst in 2016 and the lowest voter turnout recorded in 2014.

This committee is tasked with studying voter list maintenance, redistricting, adoption of a computerized statewide voter registration system, and affidavits added to state voter registration forms. The study committee will also examine the reduction of absentee voting days and hours, adoption of vote centers, and precinct consolidation in Indiana.