At least ten states, with Arizona again taking the lead, are looking at tightening election eligibility verification requirements. In Arizona, such a bill seems likely to pass with the legislation already having as many co-sponsors as it needs to pass the Senate, and 25 co-sponsors in the House with only 35 votes needed to pass.
In Indiana, the eligibility bill, Senate Bill 114, is still waiting a hearing in the Senate Elections Committee Chaired by Senator Sue Landske. The bill requires a candidate for the office of President to certify that the candidate has met the requirements set forth in the US Constitution's Article 2, Section 1 clause 5. In short, the newsworthy portion of the bill requires that the Election Division of the Indiana Secretary of State receive a certified copy of the candidate's birth certificate to appear on the Indiana ballot. Similar bills have appeared in Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Missouri, Montana Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
It may be easy for President Obama's supporters to malign such legislation as a political ploy by those they malign as "birthers." On the other hand, it could be argued that the President's supporters should welcome such legislation as a means of formally and conclusively putting these rumors to death as a kooky urban myth propelled by his harshest enemies.
I assume that the President was born in Hawaii, as he claims. I'd like to believe that any person seeking to occupy the Oval Office has the integrity and basic respect for our Constitution and nation to meet these simple requirements when they commit to run for the office. Still, I see no reason why Senate Bill 114 should not receive committee consideration. If the bill has merit, it should go to the full Senate for further discussion and passage. If it does not warrant passage, it can be voted down in committee or withdrawn by Senator Delph after limited public debate.
If you have an interest in this issue, you may want to contact your State Senator or the members of the Senate Elections Committee about a hearing for SB 114. Here are the members of the committee.
Senator Landske - Chair
Senator Lawson - Vice Chair
Senators Alting, Arnold, Broden, Glick, Head, Hershman, Lanane, Miller
You can call the Indiana Senate at 317-232-9400 or the Senate Switchboard at 1-800-382-9467.
