Todd Rokita Comments on Election Boards Filing to Keep Polls Open Past 6:00 p.m.

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 6 May 2008 16:57:28 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Statement from Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita regarding campaigns or county election boards filing to keep polls open past 6:00 p.m.:

"Our office has received reports that a Porter County Circuit Court Judge ordered polls in a few select Porter County precincts to remain open until 7:00 P.M. CST. We currently have a Special Deputy in Porter County and will keep updated on the situation."

"Indiana Code Section 36-1-3-8 states that county election boards have no home rule over the length of time the polls are open and cannot order that polls remain open past 6:00 p.m. Rather, the local county court makes the call."

"Counties should always follow court orders regarding polling place hours. But, any voter who was not within the "chute," which is the area or pathway that extends fifty feet from the entrance of the polls must vote by provisional ballot. Those provisional ballots go without challenge and are secured separately from those cast prior to 6:00 p.m."

"Voter turnout is high and polling place lines continue to be long as voters arrive at the end of the day. This is a great problem to have and I encourage voters to be patient as local election officials react as quickly as possible."

"Our office also heard of ballot shortages in Jackson County today. The County ran out of ballots in 5 precincts, but complied with procedural fail-safes and printed out additional ballots in time for voters to cast those ballots."

"We have worked closely with the counties, asked them to prepare plenty of ballots due to large increases in voter registrations, and continue to brief the county officials on the appropriate failsafe procedures to ensure that every Hoosier who has the right to vote may do so."

Source: Press Release

Hoosiers help Soldiers Call Home for Holidays

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:27:41 -0800

Phone card donations top 194,268 minutes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Wounded soldiers recuperating at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany will be able to call all of their loved ones over the holidays now that Indiana residents have donated domestic prepaid phone cards by the thousands to Secretary of State Todd Rokita's office.

Landstuhl is the military casualty hospital that serves as the primary medical evacuation destination for U.S. troops participating in Iraq and Afghanistan military operations. When Rokita visited this summer, he learned that domestic phone cards are necessary for outgoing calls because of the hospital's phone system configuration. After publicizing this need, Rokita found that the outpouring of Hoosier support this holiday season exceeded all expectations.

"The people of Indiana have risen to the occasion and purchased domestic pre-paid phone card minutes by the thousands," said Rokita. "Along with holiday cards and letters of support, we just mailed 1241 cards representing 194,268 minutes to Landstuhl Chaplain James Griffith, and I expect there to be more on the way."

"On behalf of all of the wounded soldiers, we are so appreciative and grateful," Griffith said. "The soldiers come from all over the United States and every one of them will be able to call their spouses, children, parents and friends. Hearing a loved one's voice really helps with morale."

Cards mailed today will arrive in time for Christmas, and another anticipated mailing early next week will arrive in time for the new years celebration.

"Based on the amount of mail we have been receiving every day, I anticipate the phone cards will continue arriving, so as long as there are generous, thoughtful donors, we will keep sending them to the troops," Rokita said.

While the predominant source of cards came from individuals, church and community groups and businesses, residents of states as far as Wyoming and California also purchased cards for the troops.

"We have been encouraging others from throughout the country to aid in this effort, and we will maintain a permanent link on our website about the card donation effort," Rokita said.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Allison Fore at 317-233-8655 or by visiting http://www.sos.in.gov/.

Source: Secretary of State Press Release