Letter: View the entire ballot!

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Indiana is one of six states that has some form of straight-ticket (one mark, all one party) voting. However, according to Indiana Code 3-11-2-10, “You are not required to vote a straight party ticket.” In fact, “To vote for any candidate for an at-large office (insert county council, city common council, town council, or township board) … you must make another voting mark for each candidate … straight party vote will not count as a vote for any candidate for that office.” Also “to vote for a candidate seeking a nonpartisan office … you must make another voting mark”.

This includes school board races and certain judge positions.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation being spread by misinformed or outright malicious individuals wanting to impact election outcomes. The best method to ensure a vote for all positions is to cast a vote individually for each office and public question.

Maybe an even better way to ensure your vote counts is to petition the legislature to end the confusing practice of straight-ticket voting altogether.

John Hurley, Richland