To the editor of the Indiana Daily Student,
I am writing to share my feelings about the story, “Courts reinstate ban on use of student IDs when voting in Indiana.” Indiana students do not need additional barriers to vote.
The law itself is discriminatory and disheartening to read coming from Indiana legislators. This law aims to target young, educated individuals by creating additional barriers before reaching the voting booth. College students already have many responsibilities in their lives, and nearly half of college students don’t vote.
According to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement at Tufts University, in 2024, 53% of students participated in voting, while only 47% of all other youth voted. With Public Law 70 staying in action, especially so close to the primaries, student numbers could drop drastically. Colleges around Indiana will see a dip in student voting due to this law.
Since 2005, college students have been able to use an educational institute-issued ID to vote. Now, 20 years later, changes in the legislature are being created to minimize students’ voices. It’s incredibly important for Indiana University students to understand and speak up about what is happening. If we, as college students, make our issues with Public Law 70 known by writing to our representatives or the senators who authored this bill, I believe we can take back our voting rights.
I am grateful for the coverage of this topic, and I hope to hear more as updates continue.
Thank you,
Alex Price
Junior at IU majoring in social work
3211 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, Indiana
