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Complaint to the Indiana Election Division

Our complaint focuses on what we believe are ongoing violations of Indiana’s voter registration statute, Ind. Code § 3-7-33-4.5 and Ind. Code 3-7-22-9, and the Home Rule Act, Ind. Code § 36-1-3, by the Tippecanoe County Board of Elections and Registration . We respectfully request that the Indiana Election Division take immediate action to address and remedy these ongoing violations and bring the Board into compliance with Indiana law.

What is the issue?

While working to register high school voters in the fall of 2021, we became aware that certain high school students were being asked by the election board to provide proof of residence to complete their voter registrations.   We were immediately concerned.   Most high school students can't easily prove their residence (they don't pay utility bills and rent the place where they live) and until this type of proof was provided their votes would not be counted.    We believed this added requirement essentially denied first time voters their constitutional right to vote.

How did you try to resolve this?

We did a lot.   First, we spent time with the Election Board staff to understand what they were doing and why.   We also started researching Indiana and federal election law to better understand their thinking and practices.   Finally, we reached out to the Indiana Election Division (IED)  in Indianapolis for their thoughts.

Based on the information we provided to the IED co-directors (Brad King - Republican and Angela  Nussmeyer, Democrat) they felt that the practice in Tippecanoe County was incorrect and in fact illegal.   We encouraged all of the parties locally and in Indianapolis to discuss this issue and to come to a resolution.   We also met  or communicated directly with the elected and appointed members of the Tippecanoe Election Board to make sure they were aware of our concerns and to ask them to resolve the matter.

What happened?

There were a lot of email messages exchanged on the  topic but in the end, the Tippecanoe County election board felt that their practice was correct and lawful.   This meant that any effort to come to an informal resolution failed.   

Rather than immediately move to litigation, the League, in partnership with Common Cause Indiana determined that filing an administrative complaint with the Indiana Election Division was an appropriate next step.

How can I find out more?

We suggest you download and read the complaint that was filed with the Indiana Election Division.   It includes exhibits that incorporate part of the emails that were exchanged in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Read the Complaint

Read the Press Release

Response of Clerk Roush to Complaint