Several bills are passing out of committee that could have an impact on the voting process.
Several bills are passing out of committee that could have an impact on the voting process.
by Johnny Kincaid
FEBRUARY 6, 2026
In the current Indiana legislative session, elections are on many lawmakers’ minds. They’re not worried about re-election since incumbents have the upper hand, but how elections are conducted.
Several bills are passing out of committee that could have an impact on the voting process.
Senate Bill 201 would change Indiana’s primaries from the current open system, which allows people to select whether they want a Democrat or Republican ballot when they go to the polls on primary election day, to a closed system requiring that they declare their party affiliation about four months before the election.
Primary elections have traditionally been, like party conventions, an opportunity for party members to nominate a candidate for office. However, they are still seen as a party activity rather than a public election. In the general election, party members decide who to run, and the general public votes for the person who will serve the community.
Some years ago, a different belief permeated the world of elections, and states started introducing open primaries. This allowed Democrats to encourage members of their party to vote in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Some argue that closed primaries will discourage voter turnout, but I contend that they return the primary to its original purpose of nominating candidates. The closed primary system has damaged unity in both parties and allowed them to become more complacent.
But as with all legislation, the devil is in the details, and the requirement to register party affiliation 119 days before the primary is a poison pill that may sink this legislation. The voter registration deadline is only 29 days before the election, which adds the extra level of difficulty that we have come to expect from most legislation.
If Senate Bill 284 passes, the early voting window could be cut in half to 14 days. The current four-week span drains resources and is difficult to staff. Will reducing the number of days drastically reduce voter turnout, as some people believe?
Senate Bill 10 would require college students to obtain a state-issued photo ID in addition to their student ID in order to vote.
School board elections are currently non-partisan, but that could change with the passage of Senate Bill 287.
What do you think? Do we need these changes in the election process?
Hoosiers protest Trump, Musk and Project 2025 at the Statehouse Wednesday
Hoosiers protest Trump, Musk, and Project 2025 at the Statehouse
Erin Bruce, TheStatehouseFile.com
February 6, 2025
What began as a grassroots social media campaign appeared on the front steps of the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday.
A crowd of protestors gathered at noon, a fairly uncommon sight during this legislative session so far. But standing under a gray sky on a dry lawn, a speaker welcomed the group, reminding them of their shared purpose.
The “50501” (50 states, 50 protests, one day) demonstrations spread online through grassroots efforts on websites and social media, using phrases like #buildtheresistace and “reject fascism.” The protests were expected to appear at statehouses in all 50 states, as well as a handful of major cities throughout the country.
The protests were organized in opposition to Project 2025 and President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. Project 2025 is a compilation of proposed legislative actions created by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
Protestors also expressed disdain at the state’s agenda this legislative session, chanting “All Braun, no brains,” referring to Indiana’s new governor, Mike Braun.
“I’m here to stand up for the members of our community,” said Kendra Harter. “Democracy will die if there’s silence”
“I’m here because I believe in the freedoms for all Americans,” said Brandywine Wills, who handed out American flags.
“Until the bans, I was pro-life,” said Sonya Hayes. “Mind your business, it doesn’t affect you, you don’t need to be involved in it.” “And Musk, what is that?”
“I’m here to protest all the actions that President Trump has been taking,” said Brian Jonasen, who was joined by Sandra Kaufman Jonasen. “I’m a 30-year veteran with the Air Force, and I’m very disappointed in our country right now.”
“Like everybody, I’m just so upset about what’s happening,” said Laurie Klinger. “It’s so horrible for everybody that’s involved.”
“We’re against Trump being elected, against Project 2025,” said Rebecca Miller.
“I see the rights that I fought for in my youth—I am 63 years old now—and they’re trying to strip them away,” said Bradley Harvey.
“To stand up for people that can’t,” said Whitney Chenevert. “It just shows everything that our ancestors fought for and those before us fought for.”
“I hope we can change peacefully. I hope there’s change, and I hope it can come at whatever has to happen to make it come,” said Carlos Ramirez.
Erin Bruce is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. Kate Breeden contributed to this report.
Rep. McNamara’s bill protecting first responders’ use of mental health resource moves to Senate
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 5, 2025) – The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) bill to protect first responders’ confidentiality when debriefing after a traumatic event.
McNamara said many first responders use critical incident services management (CISM) debriefings after a traumatic event so they can manage the stress of the incident and not suffer any long-term mental health issues. Through House Bill 1118, any first responder using a CISM debriefing would not be compelled to disclose any of those conversations in a civil, criminal or administrative proceeding.
“Our firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers and other first responders need a way to decompress after facing a traumatic event,” McNamara said. “This bill would protect what they say during these debriefings so they can feel safe using this mental health resource.”
According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, there are more than 40 CISM teams in Indiana, made up of trained peer volunteers who arrive at the scene to help first responders or provide care in the following days.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated that first responders develop depression, PTSD and other behavioral health conditions more than the general population.
Additionally, in 2017 there were more than 100 firefighter and police officer suicides nationally, which is more than the number of firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation.
McNamara said this legislation could help address the mental health needs of those who serve our communities, bolstering both public safety and mental wellness.
House Bill 1118 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. To learn more about the bill and follow session, visit iga.in.gov.
2024-2025 SIAC ALL CONFERENCE WRESTLING TEAM
Weight First Team Second Team
106 113 120 126 132 138 144 150 157 165 175 190 Alden Walker (9) Mater Dei Brady Elfreich (10) Mater Dei David Alstadt (11) Mater Dei Ty Henderson (12) Mater Dei Caleb Schaefer (10) Mater Dei Isaiah Schaefer (12) Mater Dei Landen Horning (12) Memorial Grant Voelker (11) Mater Dei Cale Bonenberger (11) North Camden Baumann (11) Mater Dei Matthew Pegram (12) North Caden Thacker (11) Mater Dei Karson Bachelder (10) Castle
Caleb Patterson (12) Jasper
Nolan Mullins (10) Jasper
Peyton Pfettscher (12) Reitz
Colton Pfettscher (12) Reitz
Caydan Ramos (10) Jasper
Matthew Schroeder (11) Mater Dei
Nate Phillips (12) Central
Gavin Winegard (10) Mater Dei
Cooper Collins (10) Vincennes Lincoln
Drew Schapker (12) Mater Dei
Mason Gegogeine (12) Jasper
EPA Renames Its Gulf Division to Honor the Gulf of America
WASHINGTON – In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to immediately rename its Gulf of Mexico Division to the Gulf of America Division (GAD).
“The Gulf of America is a flourishing economic resource critical to our nation’s economy. This body of water is one of the most abundant oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of America’s crude-oil production and a wealth of natural gas. EPA is committed to protecting the 1,630 miles of this watershed, comprised of a vibrant marine ecosystem made from 33 rivers draining from 31 U.S. states. The Gulf of America will help power our Great American Comeback. We are pleased to recognize it and ready to protect it,” said Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The Gulf of America is home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, oysters, grouper, stone crab and other species. It is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the nation – contributing millions of dollars to local American economies. EPA is committed to helping develop voluntary, nonregulatory actions and public-private solutions to improve water and habitat quality through its Gulf of America Division.
The Gulf of America program, founded in 1988, is one of the EPA’s Great Water Body programs. The Gulf of America watershed is made up of 33 rivers draining from 31 U.S. states and Mexico and encompasses 1,630 miles of U.S. coastline. It is recognized worldwide as a vast and productive body of water with tremendous ecological, economic and social value.
USI’s Austin earns OVC weekly honor
Austin raced to a new USI freshman record last Friday when she crossed the finish line with a 3,000-meter time of nine minutes, 40.99 seconds at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invite in Louisville, Kentucky.
The performance broke her own freshman mark, which she set at the season-opening Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. Austin finished second out of 38 competitors in the event as she shot up to third all-time at USI in the indoor 3,000-meters.
Austin currently has the top time in the OVC 3,000-meter performance list by nearly 19 seconds. Her teammate, junior Ellie Hall, is second with a time of 9:59.19, which she posted at the Commodore Classic on January 11.
The Screaming Eagles return to action Friday when they travel back to Louisville for the Eastern Indoors. USI is no longer competing at the Fairgrounds Invitational Saturday.
DOG FOR ADOPTION
Hei Hei
Hoosiers Repeat Swimmer of the Week Sweep
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana swimming and diving repeated its sweep of the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week awards, the conference office announced Wednesday (Feb. 5).
Junior Zalán Sárkány and senior Anna Peplowski won the men’s and women’s swimmer of the week honors, respectively, following in the footsteps of graduate transfer Caspar Corbeau and junior Mya DeWitt last cycle. As Indiana competed in its final dual meet of the season on Friday – a split at No. 11/10 Louisville – February 5 marks IU’s final week of eligibility. This season, 10 different Hoosiers captured 15 awards over six cycles.
During Friday’s meet, Sárkány won and set pool records in both distance events. The junior transfer won the 1,000-yard freestyle by 21 seconds in a Ralph Wright Natatorium record time of 8:43.28. He came back to win the 500 free by six seconds in 4:15.60, his second pool record of the meet. Wednesday’s award is his first Big Ten weekly award.
Peplowski earned her third swimmer of the week award this season and No. 6 of her career after sweeping her three individual events for the third time this season. The senior also set a pool record Friday, winning the 200 free in 1:42.41. She also won the 100 free, out-touching Louisville All-American Gabi Albiero by seven hundredths in 47.68, and the 500 free with a time of 4:39.26.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.