John Tuohy, and Sara Salinas

IndyStar

A unique ballot choice this election season could determine how Indiana is represented for years to come on millions of tiny billboards across the state and even throughout the country.

How better to show the nation exactly what Indiana has to offer than with a new state license plate?

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is asking drivers to vote for one of three possible designs to replace the outgoing bicentennial plate, according to a news release. The license plates will be in use for the next seven years.

Just one problem: the possible designs don't offer much to show.

One candidate carries the slogan, “Hoosier State,” another the familiar motto, “Crossroads of America,” and the third party choice has no words but an image of a covered bridge spanning a creek with pasture on both ends.

The previous standard plate displayed the Indiana flag design on the left side. Before that, it was a farmhouse in the prairie with the state's web address at the bottom.

"This is going to be a fun process for Hoosiers during the next four weeks,” said BMV Commissioner Kent Abernathy.

“We have three interesting designs and I hope all state residents will vote and let us know which one they like the best,” Abernathy said. “The winning design will appear on vehicles all over Indiana.”

Residents have been voting for their desired plates for years. In the past, the plates have carried the message, "Wander Indiana" (1984), "Hoosier Hospitality" (1990) and "Crossroads of America" (1998).

Fort Wayne-based Intellectual Technology, which designs and manufactures license plates all over the country, did the artwork this cycle.

There are more than 5 million registered cars and trucks in Indiana. The new plates will be issued in January.

Residents can vote for the plate at www.in.gov/bmv and at the BMV's Indiana State Fair display in Exposition Hall. Voting ends at midnight on Sept. 5.

Some are excited about the designs.

But the choices have left other Hoosiers wanting more.

Call Star reporter John Tuohy at (317) 444-6418 and follow on Twitter @john_tuohy.