The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 170 on various election matters authored by Sen. Walker. The bill defines “election worker” and makes it a Level 6 felony to take certain actions: (1) for the purpose of influencing an election worker; (2) to obstruct or interfere with an election worker; or (3) that injure an election worker. The bill also provides an exception to the requirement that certain electronic voting systems include a voter verifiable paper audit trail if the voting system is being used to cast an absentee ballot with the absentee voter board.
The bill was amended by consent to specify that the offense of interfering with an election worker or voter in the chute must be committed with the intent to interfere; provide that certain offenses may be committed knowingly or intentionally, and not just knowingly; and remove from the bill provisions dealing with absentee ballots.
The following testified in support of the bill: Indiana Clerks Association, Marion County Election Board, Knox County Clerk, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, an election worker, a poll worker, and the Indiana Election Division. Common Cause Indiana and the Indiana Public Defender Council provided neutral testimony. The amended bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/170