A state legislator filed a bill that would allow for same-day voter registration, and while area officials have different thoughts on the bill they all agree it is unlikely to become law.
State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, filed the bill, which would allow voters to register at the polls on Election Day, as long as they haven’t voted already and show identification and proof of residence.
“We need to begin removing the harmful barriers that discourage people from exercising their right to vote,” Smith said in a news release. “There is strong evidence that same-day registration increases voter turnout. The more people we have participating in our democratic process, the better.”
Lake County Councilman Charlie Brown, D-Gary, and former state representative said he commends Smith for filing the bill, but he doesn’t see it being heard in committee let alone being signed into law.
“You can take this to the bank, it won’t get heard,” Brown said.
In the 2020 General Election, approximately 3.1 million Indiana residents cast a ballot, which is 65% of the 4.7 million registered voters in Indiana, according to state data.
As of 2020, 21 states and the District of Columbia have enacted same-day registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Studies have found “strong evidence” that same-day voter registration increases voter turnout, but the extent of the impact is difficult conclude, according to the NCSL.
Right after implementation, states typically see a boost in voter turnout, and same-day registration states also tend to outperform other states in voter turnout percentages. But, studies offer “no conclusive evidence” whether same-day registration shapes partisan outcomes in an election, according to the NCSL.
“It’s simple: no adult should be turned away from the voting booth on Election Day and same-day registration ensures that any eligible voter can vote. We’ve spent 200 years expanding the franchise and over 100 years with declining participation in democracy at the same time. Voter participation helps transform voting from a privilege to the civil right that it’s meant to be,” Smith said in the news release.
Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman said she’s excited the bill has been filed, but she believes it is unlikely it will pass.
As an election administrator, Fajman said same-day registration “would be a whole lot of work” to train staff on and then implement. But, Fajman also said that many other states, including Illinois, already offer same-day voter registration, so Indiana officials wouldn’t have to “reinvent the wheel.”
Fajman said she’d like to see – particularly in a presidential election – a more uniform approach to holding elections across the country. Given that nearly half the country has same-day voter registration, this is something all states should consider, she said.
“That’s one of the things I’ve always wished for, is for us to all be on the same page,” Fajman said. “I’m excited (Smith) is introducing it, but at the same time I don’t think it will get a lot of traction.”
Lake County Republican Party Chairman Dan Dernulc said that there are a lot of options for voter registration and to cast ballots.
“There comes a point where people need to take ownership. This would be a nightmare administratively,” Dernulc said.
Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Assistant Director LeAnn Angerman said the current registration laws in Indiana comply with the National Voter Registration Act and aren’t too restrictive or too burdensome.
“The current laws still serve the legitimate state interest in preventing voter or registration fraud,” Angerman said.
Lake County Party Chairman James Wieser said the bill is a good idea, and anything that makes voting available, easy and accessible is best for voters. But, Wieser said the bill likely won’t pass because the state has a history of making an “effort to make voting a challenge.”
If the bill doesn’t pass, Wieser said the state should consider approving universal vote-by-mail legislation because when the state used it during the COVID-19 pandemic there was “no issue of any significance.”
“I think that would be a very positive first step,” Wieser said.
Voting rules and regulation in Indiana can change if there was a “groundswell” from community organizations – like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or League of Women Voters chapters – to push for change, Brown said.
“It’s going to take local communities getting involved and pushing for the fairness doctrine, saying ‘this is what we want,’” Brown said.
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