Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More Hoosiers are registering to vote through Motor Voter every year.
The Motor Voter law passed in 1995. It allows an individual to register for upcoming elections when they have a transaction with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The law targets young voters and ethnic minorities who may not make a special trip to a government office to register. However, anyone who meets the qualifications set by Indiana to vote may register because of the law.
The figures released by the Indiana BMV show a yearly increase in the number of people registering through the MVL:
• In 1995 and 1996, there were 2,941,618 transactions through Indiana license branches; 377,368 voters, or 12.82 percent, registered during transactions.
• In 1997, there were 1,655,039 transactions and 262,937 voters registered when conducting business with the BMV. That marked 15.89 percent of all transactions.
• From Jan. to July 1998, there were 864,527 BMV transactions. About 143,345, or 17.27 percent, registered to vote.
• From 1995 to July 1998 there werea total of 6,186,990 transaction. More than 905,559 people, or 14.63 percent, registered to vote while doing business with the BMV.
No matter how simple the process becomes, a person needs to meet certain qualifications to register and vote.
In Indiana, the person must be a U.S. citizen and must have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days before the election. They cannot be in prison after being convicted of a crime.
They also must be at least 18 years old on the day of the next general or municipal election.
The county election official can provide the location of polling places on election day. Indiana polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
