Hoosiers will choose their 2008 standard license plate during a two-week vote scheduled to begin today and run through April 18.
Citizens can vote online by going to the BMV web site at www.IN.gov/bmv or cast their ballot in a BMV license branch. Branch associates will have paper ballot copies available.
Voters may choose among four plate designs. BMV officials plan to announce the winning design in May.
"We want to hear from as many Hoosiers as possible," said BMV Commissioner Ron Stiver. "This is a great way for customers to have an active voice in choosing this visible state symbol."
Customers who do not have immediate access to Internet services also may consider voting at public libraries.
The 2008 license plate will replace the current "Back Home Again" design, chosen by Hoosiers in 2002 and placed on vehicles in 2003.
The BMV is asking customers to vote only once. Vote totals will be made available when the winning design is announced.
All proposed standard plate designs for 2008 feature a modified county designator, a one- or two-digit number that identifies the county of origin, which includes a reflective sticker with both the traditional county designator number and county name.
Key law enforcement organizations are supportive of the proposed design modification. A recent letter to Indiana legislators, signed by leaders of the state police, the sheriff's association and the association of chiefs of police, stated the following:
"We recognize the significant advantages of modifying the placement of the county designator on license plates and support the BMV's efforts in this regard. We appreciate very much the fact the BMV came to us before suggesting this change and listened to our concerns and incorporated our suggestions into the final modification. We are confident that this will not hamper law enforcement efforts in Indiana."
Moving to a county designator sticker would allow the BMV to reduce the risk of license plate fraud, save Hoosiers up to $1 million annually through reduced inventory costs, and enable the BMV to offer customers the convenience of expanded BMV services through non-branch locations such as auto dealerships, banks and motor clubs.
