State Senate bill could impact voting in future elections

Senate Bill 353 in its current form would require voters to present their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number to vote by mail.

A bill in the indiana senate could impact how hoosiers vote in future elections.fox 55's kelsey mannix spoke with local leaders to see how it could affect allen county voters and the board of elections.

Derek camp, allen co democrats chair: "this is the foundation of our democracy and this bill is an attack on that democracy."

State senate bill 353 aims to impose new rules on mail-in and emergency voting.as of today the bill says state election boards could require driver's license numbers or the last 4 digits of social security numbers on mail-in ballots.one of the bill's authors republican senator erin houchin said in a statement required for in- person voting so the standard should be the same for mail-in voting.allen county democrats chair derek camp says it only adds another obstacle.derek camp, allen co democrats chair: "it adds an extra step, and an extra barrier to voting that does not need to exist."

If old records do not already have these numbers, allen county director of elections beth dlug says these new requirements would only create more work for the board.beth dlug, director of elections allen county: "make a phone call and talk to the voter, and also get another application."and if the deadline isn't met in time... beth dlug, director of elections allen county: "then it's possible that that person may not be able to vote by mail"in addition the state board could not change the date of an election even during emergencies.not even a pandemic.beth dlug, director of elections allen county: "it's not like we can spin on a dime.

It takes us a lot of time to prepare for an election.

So we needed to have those decisions made as quickly as possible."houchin says these changes are common sense to validate the integrity of an election.but when legislation is based on a lie about fraudulent elections camp says it could disenfranchise people.derek camp, chair, allen co democrats: "so it's really hard for us to govern and make sure the system does stay safe, that people believe in the system, when you've got that kind of thing 3 happening."a bill to keep an eye on as it goes through the general assembly.

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