STATEHOUSE - Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) believes Gov. Mitch Daniels made the right decision in vetoing Senate Bill 209.
"By vetoing this bill, the governor ensures county election boards will be able to make bipartisan decisions, which is a good thing," said Rep. Bill Friend. "This is a step towards keeping elections fair and lawful."
Senate Bill 209 sought to repeal a provision of the law that requires county election boards to vote unanimously on the approval and location of satellite early voting locations. It also provided for "no-excuse" absentee voting.
"I disagree with that policy," Rep. Friend said.
A county election board is comprised of three members - the circuit court clerk, who serves as board secretary, and one member each from the county's Republican and Democrat parties. Those two political representatives are nominated by the party's chairman.
Signing SB 209 into law could result in one political party controlling a county's election operations, Rep. Friend said.
"As a state representative, I am concerned about the ability of citizens to vote and for the state to have an election process in place that protects legal voters and prevents illegal activity such as voter fraud," said Rep. Friend. "I disagreed with the final content of this bill and voted against it when it was heard in the House." |
