Proposed bill threatens to disenfranchise voters in long-term care

There is a bill that has been introduced in the Indiana Senate that, if passed, threatens to take away the ability to vote from people who live in long-term care facilities. It’s Senate Bill No. 366 and the summary of the bill is as follows:

Synopsis: Proof of identification for absentee voters. Provides that a voter who votes at a licensed care facility in which the voter lives must give proof of identification. (Under current law, such a voter is exempt from the proof of identification requirement.) Requires a voter who casts an absentee ballot by mail (other than a military or overseas voter or an address confidentiality voter) to provide a photocopy of the voter's proof of identification in the mailing envelope.

My first reaction was -- REALLY?  Are adults -- mostly the oldest old -- who require the highest level of institutional care really that much of a threat when it comes to voter fraud?   

Then I took a deep breath and began to think. What “proof of identification” is acceptable?  Does it have to be a birth certificate or social security card?  A driver’s license or a passport?  What happens if the voter, in this case the resident, doesn’t have any of those documents?  What if a family member can’t locate any of those documents?  What if there are no family members around who care?

Rather than trying to squelch the ability to vote, I would rather celebrate the spirit and spunk of someone in these circumstances who cares about exercising their right to vote. If regulation is really needed, let’s at least be creative enough to include in this bill a reasonable, accessible way for a resident to provide proof. In addition to the “usual” forms of identification, perhaps some sort of admission document to the facility might be accepted?  Or some paperwork that includes a Medicare or Medicaid number?  

What a tragedy it will be if this bill passes and results in taking away the right to vote for some of our most vulnerable citizens -- citizens who may well have worked hard all their lives, raised families, contributed to our communities or even fought for our country.  

 

Ellen W. Miller, PhD
Executive Director 

Editor's note: Indiana citizens concerned about this bill can contact their senator by visiting the Indiana General Assembly website.