Some college students face vote snag

State won’t accept IDs from private schools.

By MARGARET FOSMOE
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — University of Notre Dame freshman Patrick Gill was ready to vote in the general election Nov. 4 in Indiana.

Gill, 18, from Granite Bay, Calif., had filled out and mailed an Indiana voter registration form. “It seemed like my vote would matter a little more here,” he said.

He received a reply from St. Joseph County’s voter registration office acknowledging his application and stating he appeared to be eligible to vote.

Then Gill heard about Indiana’s voter ID requirement. All voters who go to the polls in Indiana are required to present a state or federal-issued photo ID. Student ID cards from Indiana public colleges, such as Indiana University, are accepted.

IDs from private colleges, such as Gill’s Notre Dame student ID card, are not accepted.

When Gill learned that, he immediately called St. Joseph County voter registration and canceled his application. And he called California to request an absentee ballot.

Other students at private colleges who don’t know of Indiana’s photo ID requirement may be out of luck Nov. 4.

Several Saint Mary’s College students were turned away from the polls during Indiana’s May primary election. Although they had registered to vote in Indiana, they did not have Indiana or federal photo IDs.

Voters who arrive at a polling place without the required ID may fill out a provisional ballot. But for the vote to count, they must go to an Indiana license branch within 10 days, obtain an Indiana driver’s license or state identification card, then present it at the voter registration office.

To obtain an Indiana driver’s license or state ID card, an individual must surrender his or her out-of-state driver’s license.

Out-of-state college students may present a valid passport to vote in Indiana, according to the state law.

“This is a concern to me,” said Linda Silcott, the Republican board member for St. Joseph County voter registration. Anyone who uses a passport to vote in Indiana and also votes in another state would be violating state law.

“When you register to vote (here), you affirm that you are a resident of Indiana,” said Jim Gavin, a spokesman for the Indiana secretary of state’s office. A violation would be considered perjury, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, jail time or both, he said.

The St. Joseph County voter registration office has been getting calls from area college students with questions about steps for voting in Indiana.

“We’re really encouraging the (out-of-state) students to vote absentee by mail (in their home state),” Silcott said.