House committee advances measure to let withdrawal forms update a candidate's voter address

Senator Schmidt told the committee that Senate Bill 112 clarifies the legal effect of a candidate's notice of withdrawal by treating a different address on that signed form as a request to update the candidate's voter registration. "This bill clarifies how a candidate's notice of withdrawal is defined and used under Indiana election law," he said, and described the change as intended to "simplify the process for candidates and election officials."

Representatives from the Indiana Election Division supported the simplification but flagged potential gaps. Matthew Kochiver said withdrawal forms currently collect only a candidate's name and residence address and noted that current voter-registration updates include attestation questions (citizenship, age, penalties of perjury) that the withdrawal form does not. He warned that common names could require follow-up calls to verify which registration should be updated.

County clerks who testified — including Knox County Clerk David Shelton — said the change would be a helpful tool. Shelton described a past local investigation in which the absence of a physical poll book entry hampered prosecution and said it supported keeping records accurate: "I have documentation that she voted twice," he said, explaining why longer, reliable records and clear update mechanisms matter to investigations.

Following testimony the committee moved and seconded to pass SB 112. The committee called the roll and recorded a committee vote of 7–4 in favor, with two members excused. The bill will proceed from committee for further legislative consideration.