WASHINGTON, DC — The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued a statement today expressing disappointment that the Supreme Court rejected a facial, constitutional challenge to Indiana’s voter identification law in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. However, the Lawyers’ Committee notes that the Supreme Court left the door open for future constitutional challenges to voter identification laws.

“We remain committed to ensuring that laws which restrict the ballot to traditionally disfranchised voters without any evidence of in-person voter fraud will not go unchallenged,” stated Jon Greenbaum, director of the Lawyers’ Committee’s Voting Rights Project. “This is not the end of our fight to ensure that elections are open to all eligible citizens.”

The Supreme Court found that a voter identification law may place such a burden on groups of disadvantaged voters that the law would be unconstitutional, but that the plaintiffs fell short in developing their evidence of how the Indiana law burdened voters. Greenbaum cautioned that “state legislatures considering voting restrictions must consider the effect of those restrictions on minority, elderly, poor, disabled and homeless voters before enacting them.”

Unfortunately, during this primary season in its administration of the Election Protection program, the Lawyers’ Committee has already seen instances of the purpose of voter identification requirements being misunderstood by poll workers or applied in a discriminatory manner.

As part of its mission to protect and uphold the rights of traditionally disenfranchised voters, the Lawyers’ Committee will continue to combat unnecessarily restrictive voting laws, including photo identification and proof of citizenship requirements.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of housing, community development, employment, voting, education and environmental justice. For more information about the LCCRUL, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The deadline to nominate growth-oriented companies from across the state for the inaugural Indiana Companies to Watch awards program is being extended. The new deadline for nominating Indiana second-stage companies is April 25. Nominees and those applying directly must complete an application by May 9. The first class of winners will be announced and recognized Aug. 28 during a ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

Purdue University is collaborating with the Indiana governor’s office, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its Small Business Development Center Network, KeyBank, and the Edward Lowe Foundation for the 2008 program.

Candiss Vibbert

“While the response has been strong, we also wanted to give those around the state more time to be a part of this inaugural program,” said Candiss Vibbert, associate vice provost for engagement at Purdue and associate director for engagement in Discovery Park.

To be eligible, companies must be based in Indiana, privately held, advanced beyond the start-up phase, employ six to 150 full-time employees including the owner, and have $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or working capital in place from investors or grants.

To nominate a company or to get more information on the program, go to http://Indiana.CompaniesToWatch.org. Those nominated by the April 25 deadline will receive an e-mail with instructions to complete an online application by May 9. Nominations can come from an outside source or companies can apply directly.

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is presenting small business informational seminars. The next SBA Seminar, Doing Business with the Federal Government, will be offered on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. The seminar will be conducted from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT at the SBA Indiana District Office, 8500 Keystone Crossing, Suite 400, Indianapolis.

Attendees will learn:

• Where to find contracting opportunities;
• How to register your business to sell to the government;
• How to market your products and services;
• Why you may need to obtain a surety bond and how.

Reservations are required as seating is limited. There is no cost for attending this SBA seminar on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Small Business Administration Indiana District Office.

For more information or to reserve your space, contact Mike Hasler at (317) 226-7272 x113 or michael.hasler@sba.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is an agency of the Federal government.