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Are Indiana voter rolls public? The truth behind the text messages

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Are Indiana voter rolls public? The truth behind the text messages

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INDIANAPOLIS — A few hours before Election Day, voters in Indiana received text messages for the first time claiming that people's voting records were public and that their friends and family could see who they voted for in this year's election.

“Voting results are public – your friends, neighbors and family will know whether you stood with Trump when it mattered most,” the text reads. “Whether you vote or not is public, and your community will see whether you stood with Trump or stayed home. Don’t abandon your country when our future is at stake.”

While anyone can see whether someone voted or not, a person's voting history in general elections is kept confidential by the state, according to the United States Election Assistance Commission. This means that the only way you can be sure someone didn't vote for Donald Trump is if that person doesn't vote at all.

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Although the text message appeared to have been sent by the Indiana Republican Party urging voters to vote for Indiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun, IndyStar reached out to the Indiana Republican Party's communications director to determine whether the text was valid and whether he was sent out of the party.

The IndyStar also reached out to a member of the Braun campaign to find out whether this message was approved by the Braun campaign.

At the time of publication, the newspaper had not received a response from either party.

What information is available to the public?

Although a person's voting history is kept confidential in a general election, some information would be available to the public if a person were to file a Freedom of Information Act request with the county clerk's office.

Specifically, people can gain access to information on the statewide registration list, such as a person's name and address and whether the person voted Republican or Democrat in the primary election.

However, the contents of a person's ballot are not available to the public.

Friends, family and neighbors cannot find out who a person voted for; this is kept secret by the state. Democrats accused Republicans of spreading misinformation.

“Intentionally disseminating false information about a voter’s privacy status, particularly so close to the election itself, constitutes voter intimidation,” Indiana Democratic Chairman Mike Schmuhl said in an email to voters sent messages.

If you feel that your rights have been violated

If you feel that your rights have been violated or if you have witnessed any form of voter fraud, please contact one of the following local, state or federal offices.

  • The Indiana Secretary of State and the Indiana Division of Elections are assisting America Vote Act Fraud and Accessibility Grievance Line (866) – IN-1-VOTE (866-461-8683).
  • Indiana Disability Rights: Direct (317) 722-5555 | Toll Free (800) 622-4845
  • Indiana Election Division: Direct (317) 232-3939 | Toll Free (800) 622-4941
  • Federal Department of Justice Civil Rights Division: (202) 307-2767 or (800) 253-3931
  • Public Integrity Unit, Election Crimes Unit: (202) 514-1178
  • Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division: (317) 232-4338
  • Marion County Board of Elections: (317)327-5100

Help America Vote Act staff are available to answer your calls on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Indianapolis time) and on regular business days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at [email protected] or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.

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