INDIANAPOLIS – Secretary Diego Morales sent letters to federal agencies and departments with operations in the State of Indiana, directing them that engaging in voter registration and other election activity is prohibited in Indiana without state authorization.
The warning letter comes in response to President Biden’s broad executive order directing federal agencies to engage in election activity, which would be contrary to state law and congressional authorization and funding.
Under state and federal law (Indiana Code 3-7-17 and the National Voter Registration Act), government agencies must be specifically designated by the state as “voter registration agencies” to lawfully offer or provide voter registration services and absentee voting assistance. Such designation is critical to assuring compliance with laws prescribing the administration of voter registration forms and absentee voting applications, which serve to protect the integrity of elections.
President Biden’s Federal Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting (EO 14019) tasks agencies to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and vote absentee by providing forms and assistance to agency clients and the general public. Secretary Morales recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business that voter registration drives orchestrated by the Small Business Administration, though well-meaning, were not authorized by Congress, contrary to state law, and a distraction from the agency’s core mission of providing assistance and loans to small businesses.
“The amount of enthusiasm I have towards increasing our state’s voter registration and turnout numbers is immeasurable. Since the start of my administration an unprecedented level of direct and financial assistance has been allocated to counties. Alongside my team, we have blanketed the Hoosier state with voter outreach efforts; from festivals to county fairs to sporting events. In anticipation of the upcoming November election, those efforts are only going to amplify,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.
In his letter, Secretary Morales directs federal agencies with operations in Indiana, that are engaging in election activity to immediately discontinue such action and contact his office. Secretary Morales’ office is open to coordinating with federal agencies, subject to compliance with federal and state law including Congressional authorization and appropriation.
