Voter numbers skewed
By JOHN REED
If voter registration numbers were correct, Starke County would likely have the highest percentage in the U.S. - 97 percent.
On May 7, 3,445 residents turned out to vote in the Primary Election. Official registration numbers show that 16,776 people are registered to vote.
The 2002 U.S. Census reports that the county has 17,244 residents age 18 and older - all those legally eligible to vote.
That would mean only 468 people are not registered.
The disparity in figures also means that the official voter turnout, 20.53 percent, is not close to being correct.
County Clerk Rhonda Milner said there really is no way of knowing how many people are really eligible to vote, nor of determining the actual percentage.
�In 1996, or 1998, the state did away with purging the records. If someone did not vote in two elections, there name was taken off. We can�t do that anymore.�
The result is that numerous names could be on registration lists:
� People who have moved away from Starke County.
� People who have died, although that information is updated regularly.
� Women who originally registered in their maiden name, got married and registered again under their married name but who failed to ask for the previous registration to be removed.
Milner said the Health Department regularly compiles lists of those who have died so their names can be removed. The state also sends lists of those who died elsewhere in Indiana.
But there is no way to account for someone who moved away from Indiana and then died.
Counties do share information on people who move and register at their new address. �We mail each other as often as we can,� she said.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles does pass along address changes, sometimes caught when people come in to switch vehicle registrations and titles. �We do get a lot of address changes from the BMV.�
That still leaves loopholes. Registration numbers have been growing ever since the state eliminated purging of lists. At the same time, �Motor Voter� legislation made it possible to register at the BMV. Easier registration can mean many people register who are likely never to vote.
Milner is hoping for help from a statewide voter registration system being established which will cross-check lists from every county.
Part of those changes were discovered by voters when poll workers asked for a driver�s license, or the last four digits of the Social Security number, The intent is to identify active voters.
�We can�t cancel people unless they notify us in writing,� Milner said.
|
|
| Community Calendar |
|
No events listed.
|
|
Interactive Calendar
|
