LETTER: State GOP tries to stifle competition

The 2020 gubernatorial campaign of Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater was in every way a success — at least, without victory — not only for the Libertarian Party of Indiana, but for minor parties everywhere. Thousands upon thousands bought in to the LP’s message of limited government and personal responsibility in light of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s unconstitutional lockdown orders.

The Republican Party — which holds a vast supermajority in state politics — was officially put on notice that Hoosiers are paying attention to the GOP’s antics.

On Jan. 7, the House Elections Committee decided they wanted to stifle all competition by introducing HB1134, which makes ballot access for minor parties even more difficult than it currently is (much hard work is put in every cycle just for the privilege of having other voices represented). The committee is made up of nine Republicans and four Democrats, with all GOP members entering affirmative votes.

In a year when the GOP spent two and a half months complaining that Americans did not have a free and fair presidential election, the Indiana GOP now wants to do its part to ensure that such a trend continues for all Hoosiers.

No matter your politics, this should disturb you greatly.

Eric Allen

Martinsville

~ By Eric Allen | Letter to the Editor | First Published January 27, 2021 in The Reporter Times and later published in several other papers around the state.