Pfaff stands against bill supressing student voters

On Tuesday, April 1, the Indiana House passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 66-25. This legislation prohibits college students from using their state-issued educational institution ID to vote in elections.

State Representative Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) released the following statement in response:

“This bill is a clear attempt to make it harder for young Hoosiers to vote. Students at Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Ivy Tech Terre Haute—right here in my district—and students all across the state deserve a say in the future of the state where they live, study and contribute. Whether they were born and raised in Indiana or came here to invest in their education and future, they are part of our community.

“Our student IDs already meet the standards for voter identification. They’re issued by state institutions, include a photo, and show the student’s full name. This is not about voter security—it’s about further voter suppression.

“In the November 2024 election, only 61% of Hoosiers voted. Indiana consistently ranks near the bottom in the country for voter turnout. We should be working to increase civic participation—not continuing this apparent drive to be the worst state for voting access in the nation.

“This bill doesn’t help working Hoosier families get ahead. It’s just another example of the legislature wasting time on non-issues instead of focusing on what really matters: making college more affordable, investing in strong public schools, fixing childcare access and ensuring our rural communities have the infrastructure and support they need to thrive.

“I came to the Statehouse to fight for common-sense policies that help Hoosiers—this isn’t it. Our young people should be welcomed into civic life, not shut out of it.”