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Friday, September 23, 2011

Ind. Gov't. - "GOP leaders say fix coming for ballot law"

So reports Niki Kelly today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Some quotes:

The good news for vexed election officials around the state is it appears a new law eliminating unopposed candidates from municipal election ballots is short-lived.

Republican leaders of the House and Senate agree the legislature erred when passing the measure, and they vowed to repeal it next year.

“I think names ought to be on the ballot whether or not you have an opponent, period. People ought to know who they are electing,” said Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne. “The intention (to save money) was good, but voting is a fundamental responsibility. It goes to the heart of our republic.”

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma of Indianapolis echoed Long’s statements.

“I am not a fan of the change,” he said. “We need a historical record of elections. It’ll be on my list of things to remedy next year.” * * *

The provision specifically says an election “may not be held for a municipal office if there is only one nominee for the office.”

Bosma said there has been some confusion over the phrase “may not,” noting some legislators thought that phrase left the decision up to local election officials.

“It’s poorly worded and could lead to a great deal of voter confusion,” he said.

But Rep. Kathy Richardson, R-Noblesville, author of the measure, sent a letter to her fellow legislators clarifying the phrase.

“Some are confused by the may not provision – I just ask you this – if your mother says you may not have a piece of candy what did that mean to you? Well to me it meant no candy.” * * *

Richardson holds a leadership position in the House and is respected as an elections expert in that chamber.

Rep. Richardson's letter, and links to earlier ILB entries on the ballot isue, are available here.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 23, 2011 02:44 PM
Posted to Indiana Government