States calling for secession

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Since the president's reelection, there's been a flood of petitions calling for secession. The state of Indiana has one of these petitions.

20 states have petitioned to secede from the union since Election Day, including Indiana.

Indiana has about 13,000 signatures out of the 25,000 needed.

25,000 signatures have to be met in order for the petition to be reviewed.

Residents in more than 30 states have signed these petitions.

The Obama administration reviews the petition and issues a response.

Indiana State University professor Matthew Bergbower said this is just a way for the people to have a voice expressing their disappointment.

“Now they’re trying to make their voice heard in another way, talk about how serious they are, their values, their beliefs,” said Bergbower.    

The petitions are informal and online and holds no legal bond.

In order for a petition to secede to be taken seriously, it must go through the proper elected state officials.

The argument petitioners are channeling is the Declaration of Independence.

It says "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and institute new Government..."

Bergbower expects the White House to respond in a manner of understanding if the signature total is met.

“So I expect the language there to help heal the wounds that people still have regarding the 2012 election,” said Bergbower.

Check out the We the People website created by the White House.