2008 Woodie Awards
Students can vote before semester ends
Indiana one of nine states to allow ballots to be cast early
Bob Culp
With the May 6 Indiana primary less than two weeks away, Ball State University students who registered to vote in Delaware County can cast their ballots early this year.
A new state law, in its first application, requires county clerk's offices to open 30 days prior to election day for early voting.
Also, the law requires clerk's offices to open for the two Saturdays immediately preceding the election.
A clerk's office must stay open more than seven hours a day if the county's population exceeds 28,000 people, according to the law.
With the law's addition, Indiana joins a club of nine states that hold early voting 30 days or more before Election Day.
Delaware County Clerk Steve Craycraft said the law's purpose is to make voting more convenient.
"We've had between 400 and 500 people vote early already," Craycraft said. "Other than that number, I don't know how popular it will be."
Voters will also need government-issued photo identification at the polling place.
The controversial law was first put into effect during the 2006 congressional elections to protect from voting fraud. Ball State University professor of political science Gary Crawley said proponents of the bill argued the law stops people from voting under someone else's name multiple times during Election Day.
Under those circumstances, the same people could vote multiple times for their chosen candidate. in an effort to sway the electoral process in their favor.
However, Crawley said opponents of the act, who are largely Democrat, claim it is unconstitutional. The law requires voters to carry a valid ID with their name, a current photo and a displayed expiration date. More than 20 states have passed laws requiring voters to show more than a signature at the polls.
Crawley said lower income families and the elderly, two groups important to the Democratic electorate, may have trouble gaining access to the proper identification.
Despite the arguments, Crawley said he doesn't agree with the law.
"I haven't seen enough evidence that it helps either way," Crawley said. "More studies needed to be done on the subject."
Craycraft said he also disagrees with the law.
"I've lived in Selma for 47 years," Craycraft said. "All the poll workers call you by first name. It makes no sense having to show ID's when people know if it's you or not."
Even with the new laws, Crawley said turnout on the primary should be high.
"[Barack] Obama really energizes young voters, and [Hillary] Clinton also has a huge following," Crawley said. "With there being an open seat in the White House, turnout and interest will be large. The excitement should stay up through November."
A new state law, in its first application, requires county clerk's offices to open 30 days prior to election day for early voting.
Also, the law requires clerk's offices to open for the two Saturdays immediately preceding the election.
A clerk's office must stay open more than seven hours a day if the county's population exceeds 28,000 people, according to the law.
With the law's addition, Indiana joins a club of nine states that hold early voting 30 days or more before Election Day.
Delaware County Clerk Steve Craycraft said the law's purpose is to make voting more convenient.
"We've had between 400 and 500 people vote early already," Craycraft said. "Other than that number, I don't know how popular it will be."
Voters will also need government-issued photo identification at the polling place.
The controversial law was first put into effect during the 2006 congressional elections to protect from voting fraud. Ball State University professor of political science Gary Crawley said proponents of the bill argued the law stops people from voting under someone else's name multiple times during Election Day.
Under those circumstances, the same people could vote multiple times for their chosen candidate. in an effort to sway the electoral process in their favor.
However, Crawley said opponents of the act, who are largely Democrat, claim it is unconstitutional. The law requires voters to carry a valid ID with their name, a current photo and a displayed expiration date. More than 20 states have passed laws requiring voters to show more than a signature at the polls.
Crawley said lower income families and the elderly, two groups important to the Democratic electorate, may have trouble gaining access to the proper identification.
Despite the arguments, Crawley said he doesn't agree with the law.
"I haven't seen enough evidence that it helps either way," Crawley said. "More studies needed to be done on the subject."
Craycraft said he also disagrees with the law.
"I've lived in Selma for 47 years," Craycraft said. "All the poll workers call you by first name. It makes no sense having to show ID's when people know if it's you or not."
Even with the new laws, Crawley said turnout on the primary should be high.
"[Barack] Obama really energizes young voters, and [Hillary] Clinton also has a huge following," Crawley said. "With there being an open seat in the White House, turnout and interest will be large. The excitement should stay up through November."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
jacksmith
posted 4/25/08 @ 11:13 PM EST
MY FELLOW "BITTER", STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE :-)
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of "BITTER"!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER. (Continued…)
jacksmith
posted 4/25/08 @ 11:15 PM EST
IT'S TIME AMERICA:
It's time for everyone to face the truth. Barack Obama has no real chance of winning the national election in November at this time. (Continued…)
jacksmith
posted 4/26/08 @ 3:56 AM EST
PS - I am a douche bag and make out with my own mother. Republicans love to imbreed like that. Don't you???
Vincent
posted 4/28/08 @ 2:20 PM EST
It is a wonder that people sometimes respect the democratic process. After all, with people above deciding that the best plan is not to vote it does seem like they hate the process. (Continued…)
Bryan
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:39 PM EST
How can you publish an article describing how BSU students (and others) can vote early without telling where the polling places are located?!
Waltb31
posted 5/01/08 @ 8:43 PM EST
Indiana voters and citizens:
This is how the Hillary Clinton Campaign and Hillary campaign worker Mickey Kantor feels about you:
http://www.youtube. (Continued…)
Post a Comment