Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle

A new bill would further clamp down on abortions in Indiana by banning procedures using pills and requiring women to file an affidavit of rape to meet one of the state’s few exceptions.

Its future is uncertain since it was filed by a Senate Republican — Indianapolis Sen. Mike Young — who has clashed with caucus leadership over Indiana’s abortion ban.

Young told ICC that he believes abortions using medications are more dangerous and that’s why he wants to ban them.

“Our job is not only protect the lives of more children, it’s our job is protect women’s lives as well,” he said.

Young noted anyone can obtain these pills without a prescription and there have been incidents where someone put the pills in a woman’s drink to try to cause an abortion against her will.

But physicians are balking.

“This is a government intrusion into medicine and healthcare with no other purpose but to put extreme ideology into law and take medical options away from patients,” said Indianapolis OB-GYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard. “This will lead to women dying in our state, something that we should all be fighting to prevent.

Bans the use of “abortion-inducing drugs” in the state — even for women who meet a legal exception to obtain an abortion. Some of Indiana’s abortions fall under this medical category and would now require a surgical abortion.Makes it a misdemeanor to prescribe or possess abortion-inducing drugs in the state, but has a defense for pregnant women. State law defines an abortion-inducing drug as a “substance, drug, or medicine that is prescribed or dispensed with the intent to terminate a pregnancy.”Requires a woman who seeks an abortion under the state’s rape or incest exceptions to provide the doctor with an affidavit under penalties of perjury attesting to the rape or incest. This requirement was defeated in 2022 during an amendment fight.Makes it illegal for nonprofit organizations in Indiana to provide or offer financial assistance to pay for, offset the cost of, or reimburse the cost of an abortion-inducing drug.Gives the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over actions concerning abortion-inducing drugs. This means the attorney general would be able to prosecute criminal cases if a local prosecutor doesn’t.

Bernard said requiring affidavits will retraumatize sexual assault survivors who “are more likely to not seek care if they know they will be forced to go through this agonizing process.”

She also noted that thousands of people every year depend on nonprofit abortion funds to help them pay for medication abortions at clinics in surrounding states.

Haley Bougher, Indiana state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said, “Senate Bill 171 is yet another egregious attack on Hoosier health that would only deepen existing health care inequities caused by the state’s current abortion ban. SB 171 bans medication abortion, criminalizes compassionate medical care, and adds dangerous barriers for patients — particularly survivors of rape or incest — by requiring invasive affidavits that undermine privacy and safety. This bill is not about protecting patients but about controlling them.”

Planned Parenthood lost the ability to provide abortion care after the state’s 2022 abortion ban was put in place.

“This legislation is riddled with constitutional challenges and legal enforceability, as it infringes on the right to travel and access legal care in other states,” Bougher said. “These measures are duplicative, wasteful and show just how far extremists will go to ensure not a single Hoosier can access abortion care in their home community or even across state lines. This bill isn’t what Hoosiers want and should be stopped immediately.”

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.

A survey sent to Noblesville area voters from a national conservative think tank contends election fraud is on the rise as part of illegal attempts to steal elections.

The D.C.-based Heritage Foundation also claims to be nonpartisan, though its website highlights conservative views numerous times. The survey and two-page letter also include inflammatory language such as “immigrant invasion,” “leftists” and “radical media.” The organization is the key architect behind Project 2025, a controversial blueprint of conservative policies that includes eliminating the Department of Education and reforming several critical federal agencies.

A copy of the letter was shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

“The right to vote in free and fair elections is the most basic civil right we have as citizens of America. All other rights are dependent on this. Every American must be able to trust the voting process and its result, otherwise, the democratic system itself breaks down,” the letter said. “Despite all the evidence, you have probably heard claims that voter fraud doesn’t exist. That’s the baseless narrative constantly pushed by leftist politicians, radical fanatics and their establishment media mouthpieces who vilify any Americans who demand free, fair elections.”

Sam Barloga, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party, called the letter a scare tactic used by Republicans to suppress the vote in Indiana.

“We don’t have a voter fraud problem — we have a voter participation and turnout problem,” he said. “Democrats will keep pushing for common sense reforms to make it easier to vote in Indiana. This includes expanding early voting options, more vote by mail options, and keeping polls open later for the thousands of Hoosiers who work after 6pm. Indiana should always strive to be in the Top 5 of national rankings — not the bottom of the barrel.”

It is unclear how many of the surveys were sent or to what other parts of the state. The Heritage Foundation did not respond to a list of questions sent on Tuesday from the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

The survey includes a link to Heritage’s election fraud database that has more than 1,500 examples of election irregularities nationwide.

Numerous national reports have found isolated — not systemic, widespread — voter fraud.

Indiana’s list includes 47 cases going back to 2003. In the 2022 general election, for instance, 1.8 million votes were cast. Some of the charges involved were fraudulent use of absentee ballots, ballot petition fraud and false registrations.

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The first example on the list is a man who was charged in 2023 with a felony count of filing a fraudulent report, and two felony counts of voting outside precinct residence. At issue was whether he was legally allowed to vote in Clark County after selling his home. Charges were dismissed after he completed a diversion program.

A 2019 example also involved two men who filed absentee ballot requests in other voters’ names. Election officials caught the fraud before any votes were cast. Both received suspended sentences.

The letter asks voters to fill out the survey and enclose a donation “to help lead the fight against the corruption of our election by forces that seek to take power by any means necessary.”

One of the survey questions asks whether you agree that individuals who register to vote by mail should be required to appear in person the first time they vote to verify their identity, therefore ensuring they comply with federal and state laws.

Another question asks whether all states should conduct regular audits to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls. States already have voter list maintenance to purge ineligible voters.

Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.