State of Indiana Archives: on Government Reform

Woody Myers: Wants statewide vote-by-mail

Woody Myers: Yes. "Make it as easy as possible to vote in a variety of circumstances, as long as there is a paper trail." Wants statewide vote-by-mail.

Eric Holcomb: No. Sees in-person voting as safe. Encourages people to vote early.

Michael Folk: Send absentee voter applications to all registered voters

While I support removing the requirement that a voter needs a state-defined excuse to request a ballot by mail, another barrier to voting remains. Indiana should further remove the step that requires Hoosiers to print applications for a ballot by proactively mailing these applications to all registered voters.

Pete Buttigieg: Citizens United was a disaster for our democracy

He says dollars have begun to out weigh people. He personally has returned money from Washington lobbyists and has sworn off taking money from the fossil fuel industry or certain political action committees. "Citizens United was a disaster for our democracy," he told CSPAN2.

Eric Holcomb: Budgeted for election security: covers about 10% of machines

Mike Braun: Replace the swamp with citizen legislators and term limits

Andrew Straw: Suing government for ballot access for disabled people

A: Yes, Indiana has defaulted in my federal lawsuit, Straw v. Indiana.

Q: Your issue is about the number of signatures for third parties to get on the ballot?

A: Disabled people in Indiana who wish to run under Disability Party would have to collect over 26,000 signatures due to Indiana's Election Law. My federal lawsuit is designed to get me on the ballot in Indiana for Secretary of State because that position is special. Any small party that gets 2% of the vote for that office thereafter does not need to collect signatures for most races in Indiana. Federal judges have been very conservative and even hostile to disability rights under the ADA. If Congress is dedicated to disability rights, it must oppose any judge who attacks those rights or attacks the people who assert them. I would make it illegal for any judge to attack a disabled lawyer or call their ADA work frivolous.

Andrew Straw: Expand voting rights for disabled people

A: Strongly support. Gathering signatures for ballot access should also be much easier to help disabled candidates and voters. Examples include getting permission to sign for a voter over the phone, by email, or using social media such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Disabled people need accommodations to participate and they should usually get whatever accommodation makes their participation easier.

Mark Hurt: Stop the nefarious practice of omnibus legislation

Hurt supports institutional reforms requiring hearings and transparency for the American public who desire to be involved in the public policy process.

Trey Hollingsworth: Politicians should learn to earn money outside of government

Here's what I believe:
• I believe there is a big difference between people in the private sector earning a living and politicians living off our earnings. In my opinion, you shouldn't ask for the right to spend our tax dollars until you have had to honestly earn them from outside government.
• I believe in shrinking government and oppose legislating so-called "solutions." We need to free American innovators and families from the tentacles of a bloated government.

Trey Hollingsworth: I believe in term limits

Here's what I believe:
• I believe in term limits. Public service should not be a career path. I promise you that I will serve no more than eight years as your Representative.
• I believe in shrinking government and oppose legislating so-called "solutions." We need to free American innovators and families from the tentacles of a bloated government.

John Gregg: Longer voting hours; make registration & mail voting easier

In Indiana, partisan politics has made it harder and harder for Hoosiers to participate in our own government. We have some of the shortest voting hours in the country; there are cumbersome requirements to register and to vote; and voting by mail requires a signed affidavit. On top of all that, the General Assembly continues to pass laws to make voting even more difficult every year.

I'm running for Governor because I believe Indiana is stronger and better when every Hoosier has a seat at the table and is called upon to participate. We all have a stake in Indiana's future. To set the best course possible, we need everyone's input. Mmy `Voter Participation Plan` will increase voter participation to 75% by 2020.

John Gregg: Voter Participation Plan: expand ID rules & early voting

• Getting to a polling location between the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM is impossible for many. I propose expanding the hours in which polling places are required to remain open until 9 PM.
• Automatic Voter Registration: I propose that Indiana automatically registers all eligible US citizens who have an Indiana driver's license or have utilized services offered by state government, unless they choose to opt out.
• I propose we [allow using] any identification issued by local, state or the federal government or an Indiana college or university, even if they do not contain an expiration date.
• Expand Early Voting. Hoosiers should also be able to register the same day as they early vote.
• Expand Opportunities to Vote by Mail

Todd Rokita: Voter ID laws increase turnout and never black voters

Rokita, formerly in charge of overseeing election laws, responded to remarks made on Aug. 6 by the White House Press Secretary about the upcoming reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, saying "there are documented instances where Republicans make it harder for eligible Americans to cast a vote--including those who may not have driver's licenses."

Rokita responded: "There is no case of outright denial of voting." He noted that voters who show up at the polls without ID are given provisional ballots and then have seven days to produce ID to make their vote count.

As to the argument that voter ID laws make it harder to vote, Rokita noted, "In 2004, before we had our voter ID law, the average turnout in the primaries was 21% of eligible voters. After the law took effect [in 2006], the average turnout was 31%."

Brian Bosma: No limits on PAC contributions; but full disclosure

Q: Individual?

A: No.

Q: Political Action Committee?

A: No.

Q: Corporate?

A: Yes.

Q: Political Party?

A: No.

Q: Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Brian Bosma: Require a photo ID in order to vote

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?

A: Yes.

Richard Mourdock: Eliminate cabinet departments DOE, ED, DOC, and HUD

Mitch Daniels: No limits on individual nor PAC campaign contributions

A: No.

Q: PAC

A: No.

Q: Corporate

A: No.

Q: Political Parties

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?

A: No.

Q: Should Indiana participate in the federal REAL ID program?

A: Yes.