Thread by @INSenDems

The Senate Elections committee will meet this morning at 9 a.m. in room 233. @SenatorJDFord and @SenFadyQaddoura serve on this committee. #INLegis

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura HB 1479 passes unanimously out of the Elections committee. HB 1479 would allow counties to expand early vote access an extra day.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura Today the Senate Elections committee will be hearing HB 1357, a controversial proposal that makes changes to Indiana’s election procedure. #INLegis

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura Testimony from the co-director of the Indiana Election Division is citing legal concerns about HB 1357.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura HB 1357 conflicts with existing law. Senate Enrolled Act 61 requires at-large races to be selected individually, but the bill being considered would change that system for ⅔ of voters.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura She suggests a few options. One suggestion, we could revert back to the previous process used in 2016, where straight party votes apply unless the voter overvotes, in which case the specific votes would be counted. Another suggestion, eliminate straight ticket voting.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura Indiana is one of six states in the country which allows straight ticket voting.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura Straight ticket voting encourages partisan polarization among voters and is particularly risky in local government, where the significant issues affecting their community may be difficult to break down along party lines.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura Testimony from @IndianaVBM: “I don’t think that we should be introducing a level of complexity that makes it different for the way some people vote. It’s making it into an unnecessary complicated process.”

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm @SenFadyQaddoura on HB 1357: “I’ve heard more concerns than the level of comfort that I would like in terms of finding solutions that can truly address the concerns of voters. At this point, given the concerns that I’ve heard, I’ll be voting no.”

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm HB 1357 passes out of committee 5 to 3.

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm On HB 1365, @SenatorJDFord: “Some county members are trained in different rules and regulations. For example, someone up in Clinton County may be trained for Clinton County rules and regulations."

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm @SenatorJDFord continues: "But if they are poll watching in Marion County, they may be unfamiliar with Marion County rules and regulations. It could be confusing for poll workers.”

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm “There’s also some concern with perception of poll workers coming from a different county. Concerns with intimidation. If you want to poll watch, we welcome that. But it should be the person in the same county. I ask for support for 1365, Amendment 35.” - @SenatorJDFord

@SenatorJDFord @SenFadyQaddoura @IndianaVbm Amendment passes by consent. 👏