Secretary of State Todd Rokita brought message about Hoosier voters to Whitley County Tuesday
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Rotarians listen as Secretary of State Todd Rokita discusses the Hoosier voting process Tuesday. Above, from left, is Pat Ball, Doug Brown, Matt Rentschler, Bob Cornmesser, Dale Pence and John Meister. Below, Todd Rokita addresses Rotary members and guests Tuesday at Parkview Whitley Hospital.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Since Todd Rokita was elected as Indiana’s 59th Secretary of State in 2002, he has been at the helm of the state’s elections in a time of sweeping reform and great leaps in voter technology that make it possible for soldiers serving their country overseas to cast their ballot in their home county. 
Rokita was in Columbia City Tuesday as part of his election readiness tour which has taken him to more than 50 counties in the past 30 days.
“I go to every county at least once a year,” Rokita said in his stop to visit the Columbia City Rotarians where he spoke about his role in state government as well as addressed local concerns about voter fraud around the state. “I’m a better Secretary of State if I don’t spend my time (in Indianapolis) – but here with leaders like you,” he added. In addition to his travels around the state, Rokita has also ventured to Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait in an effort to ensure that Hoosier voters serving in the military have every opportunity to pursue their right to vote.
Rokita said he had several goals in going overseas: to make sure soldiers were aware of their rights and responsibilities with regards to voting, ensure soldiers were registered to vote and if they didn’t vote, to find out whether something prevented them from participating in the process.
Rokita said that every plane that leaves has segregated packages of absentee ballots loaded aboard before any other item. Everyone Rokita talked to had either voted already or was preparing to vote when he visited. Locally, many Whitley County natives serving in the military have already cast their votes via absentee ballot or the new, secure email ballot, according to chief deputy of voter registration, Jennifer Baxter.
“I went over there specifically to make sure our soldiers had the opportunity to vote,” Rokita said. In a bi-partisan way, Rokita believes voting is one thing everyone can agree on.
“We agree that regardless of ideology, every Hoosier voter needs to go to the polls and vote,” he said.
According to Rokita, more than 300,000 Hoosier voters have already cast their ballot in this election since polls opened on October 6. Rokita is ultimately responsible for 30,000 poll workers and 5500 precincts in the state.
Rokita said the average age of precinct workers in Indiana is 72.
“The ‘Greatest Generation’ is running our polling places,” Rokita said, but added that he feels it is time for younger volunteers to come forth to work polling places as well. “We need younger poll workers to work alongside them. What you can learn about life in 14 hours!”
Rokita said that while there have been poll worker shortages in some area, there are no problems locally.
Another issue of concern to Rokita and one on the minds of many this election season is voter fraud.
“I think ID will be a great backstop,” Rokita said referring to the requirement that all Indiana voters appear with a valid photo ID.
Rokita is taking the issue of voter fraud very seriously. “This is fraud perpetrated against the people of Indiana and we need to take it seriously. If people aren’t confident, they won’t believe in the process,” he said.
One Rotarian asked whether Rokita was particularly concerned with the possibility of high levels of voter fraud in Lake County, to which he responded, “I’m a Republican from Lake County and I love it. I have found evidence in other areas of this state that are much worse than anything I’ve seen in Lake County.”
The next week will be a busy time for those involved in coordinating Indiana’s election. “We matter this year,” said Rokita. “We are in play.”
Like many, Rokita is energized by the notion that Indiana is being viewed as an important state in this year’s General Election. “I have never seen presidential candidates of either party advertise so heavily here,” he said.
“No matter who you are going to vote for, capitalize on the interest and make it a habit,” he said.
Rokita advocates voting early in this election to reduce wait times on election day and reduce the numbers of stressors on the system. Also, timing is everything on election day.
“Roads have rush hour and so do poll sites,” Rokita said. He advises voters to avoid busy times by voting between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on November 4.
He reminded voters to bring their state-issued photo ID and to be patient, adding, “Every poll worker is human.”
For more information about voting in Indiana, visit www.IndianaVoters.com