State of Indiana Archives: on Government Reform


Woody Myers: Wants statewide vote-by-mail

Q: Support efforts to make it easier to vote including promoting voting 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.

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Michael Folk: Send absentee voter applications to all registered voters

I support the Indiana Election Commission's decision to move our primary election to June 2 and to permit every Hoosier to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail--no excuse needed.

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.

Source: Chicago Crusader on 2020 Indiana Governor race Feb 20, 2020

Pete Buttigieg: Citizens United was a disaster for our democracy

Buttigieg says the Citizens United Supreme Court case that opened the doors for corporations, nonprofits and unions to contribute to campaigns should be overturned.

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.

Source: Indianapolis Star on 2020 presidential hopefuls May 6, 2019

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

Governor Eric Holcomb's newly unveiled budget proposed $10 million for election security in the state. It is believed that a majority of the funds would go toward upgrading the existing touch screen voting devices with a new, voter-verifiable ballot component. However, those funds may only be able to upgrade roughly 10 percent of the machines in the state.
Source: NCSL.org on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race Apr 26, 2019

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

Washington is full of politicians who talk a slick game, but comes up empty when it comes to getting real results. These politicians have done nothing to increase the prosperity and safety of our families and instead rigged the system to benefit the politically connected. To make Washington work again, the swamp must be drained. Career politicians from both parties need to be replaced with citizen legislators with real world experience. And we must pass term limits for politicians now.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana.com May 3, 2018

Andrew Straw: Suing government for ballot access for disabled people

Q: You're suing the federal government for ballot access under the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act?

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.

Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Indiana Senate candidate Mar 2, 2018

Andrew Straw: Expand voting rights for disabled people

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?

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.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate Feb 28, 2018

Mark Hurt: Stop the nefarious practice of omnibus legislation

Hurt believes we must stop the nefarious practice movement of omnibus legislation where Congressional leaders move bills in the last hours of a session, without formal hearings, with legislation not read or understood by those members voting on the proposed laws.

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

Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org Mar 3, 2017

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

Source: 2016 Indiana House campaign website VoteForTrey.com Nov 8, 2016

Trey Hollingsworth: I believe in term limits

Source: 2016 Indiana House campaign website VoteForTrey.com Nov 8, 2016

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

In 2014, Indiana was dead last in the nation in voter turnout. Only 28% of registered voters actually cast ballots. This low rate of civic engagement should concern every Hoosier, no matter your political party or philosophy, because it puts the future of our democracy in jeopardy.

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.

Source: 2016 Indiana campaign website, GreggForGovernor.com Sep 9, 2015

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

Through my `Voter Participation Plan` I will work to enact common sense reforms that will allow and encourage more Hoosiers to vote, with the goal of increasing voter participation in Indiana to 75% by 2020 [from 28% in 2014]. Those reforms include:
Source: 2016 Indiana campaign website, GreggForGovernor.com Sep 9, 2015

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

Rokita hit back at Obama administration assertions that GOP-backed voter identification laws are designed to "make it harder for eligible Americans to cast a vote."

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%."

Source: Newsmax.com on 2018 Indiana Senatorial race Aug 12, 2015

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

Q: Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates...

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.

Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Brian Bosma: Require a photo ID in order to vote

Q: Do you support the use of an independent and/or bipartisan commission for redistricting?

A: Yes.

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

A: Yes.

Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

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

Asked what could be done to cut the $15 trillion federal debt, Lugar, 80, urged the passage of the "remarkable" House budget plan and the extension of Bush-era tax cuts. Mourdock, 60, called for the elimination of the Energy, Education, Commerce and Housing and Urban Development departments.
Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on 2012 Indiana Senate debate Apr 12, 2012

Mitch Daniels: No limits on individual nor PAC campaign contributions

Q: Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to gubernatorial candidates: Individual?

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.

Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of Indiana Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Government Reform:
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Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
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Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
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Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
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