Two Democratic amendments to a bill on various election matters were ruled out of order Tuesday, which Democratic House members called an abuse of power.

Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, offered an amendment that would have allowed permanent absentee vote by mail status to elderly voters and disabled voters. Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, offered an amendment expanding vote by absentee ballot and before an absentee voter board.

In a 66-27 vote, Jackson’s amendment was voted out of order for violating House rule of germaneness. In a 64-27 vote, Pryor’s amendment was voted out of order for violating the same rule.

Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, said the House members want to expand access to voting as he urged the chamber to vote in favor of blocking the amendments.Smaltz said he hoped Jackson would file a bill that addressed permanent absentee vote by mail status, but that her amendment didn’t fit within the bill.

Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, said both amendments addressed the election process and should be considered by the House.

Assistant Democratic Floor Leader Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, said House Bill 1679, authored by Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, was a “Christmas tree” of a bill.

Pierce read aloud what matters the bill addresses including: modifying the definition of candidate; requiring an elementary school used as a polling place to remain closed on primary election day and general election day; allowing the county election board to use a binder instead of a paper envelope or bag; a county chairman filling a candidate vacancy for local office; among many other changes.

The legislature has a Republican supermajority, Pierce said, but Democratic amendments should be voted on and not blocked.

“You have now crossed the line into abuse of power,” Pierce said. “You know it’s germane. You don’t want to vote.”

Speaker Todd Huston’s spokeswoman sent this statement in response to the action: “We appreciate input and participation from all members of the House and will continue to govern in accordance with House rules.”

Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, proposed an amendment to the bill to allow a voter’s consular report of birth abroad issued by the United States Department of State to be used as proof of citizenship. The amendment failed in a voice vote.

Boy filed an amendment to the bill that would expand the definition of elementary school from K-5th grade to K-6th grade. The amendment passed 87-3.

House Bill 1679 passed on to third reading in the House.

akukulka@post-trib.com