The cards ask recipients to check one of three boxes indicating whether the address shown is their current address, a previous address or an address where they have never lived. Then, at the bottom, they ask the recipient for their signature to cancel the address altogether. If that weren’t confusing enough, the cards state, “You must sign the return postcard for it to be effective.”

Democrats and Republicans have differing views as to what should be done with the cards. According to Jay Cahill, executive director of the Marion County Republican Party, voters should return the cards. Cahill said, “This was a bi-partisan effort by the Voter Registration Office.” He also stated that Cathleen Mullin, a Democrat, had signed off on the cards before mailing.

The Democrats provided information in an Aug. 20 press release, indicating that Mullin did approve the cards on July 20, but the ones mailed were altered after her approval. According to Joel Miller, executive director of the Marion County Democratic Party, the best course of action is to not return the cards at all.

In an Aug. 17 press release, the Democratic Party called upon the Registration Board to “immediately cease and desist” from using information gained from residents who have responded to the mailing. That same day they also filed a lawsuit naming the board, including Mullin, contending the cards were in violation of state law.

Whatever becomes of the argument for or against the cards, both parties agree that no matter what recipients do with the cards their registration to vote in the November election will not be affected. But their registration could be purged from the rolls if they do not vote in one of the next two coming elections.

Voters concerned about their registration status should call the Marion County Board of Voter Registration at 327-5040. The deadline for registering for November’s election is Oct. 1. People who are not yet registered to vote in Marion County can visit the Board of Voter Registration Web site at www.indygov.org/voters to find a list of locations for registering, as well as information on transferring registration after a move to a new address.