Common Cause sues Indiana for limiting who can ask for extensions to voting hours

INDIANAPOLIS — A nonpartisan voting rights organization has filed a lawsuit to overturn a 2019 law that prohibits voters and other citizens from asking a court to force polls open past their 6 p.m. closing time.

Members of Common Cause Indiana filed the lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, arguing the 2019 law violates Hoosiers’ rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

The 2019 law — Senate Enrolled Act 560 — prohibits voters, candidates and political parties from asking courts to extend voting times if they experience problems at the polls, including logistical errors like ballot shortages and equipment malfunctions. Now, only the election boards who administer the elections can seek to extend Indiana’s 12-hour voting window, or 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.

“No law should limit an eligible voter’s ability to address election day problems that may prevent them from casting their ballot,” said Julia Vaughn, policy director of Common Cause Indiana, in a press conference held to announce the lawsuit.

Read more: http://thestatehousefile.com/common-cause-sues-indiana-for-limiting-who-can-ask-for-extensions-to-voting-hours/42309/