Election Security Legislation Passes Through House Committee

The bill would strengthen security around digital absentee ballot requests.

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INDIANAPOLIS – A bill that would strengthen security around digital absentee ballot requests is one step closer to becoming law.

Secretary of State Holli Sullivan announced Tuesday that House Bill 1173 passed out of the House elections committee.

The bill is the top priority for Sullivan this legislative session.

Under the proposal, HB 1173 would require Indiana voters to submit either their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number when requesting an absentee ballot digitally.

Indiana first offered that option in 2020. During the general election, nearly 250,000 Hoosiers submitted absentee ballot applications electronically.

“As voting habits change and election technology progresses, it is vital that Indiana remains a leader to ensure that every vote is safe, secure and accurately counted,” Secretary Sullivan said. 

Sullivan added that her top priority as Indiana’s chief elections officer is to preserve the integrity of our elections.