On Tuesday Nov. 4, millions of Americans will make their voices heard in polling places across the country to select federal, state and local officials.
Due to the historic nature of the presidential election, an unusually high voter turnout is expected and organizations are taking strong measures to ensure that voters are prepared.
“Given the massive registration and turnout during the primary election we are also anticipating a large turnout for the general election as well,” said Erin Kelly, vice-president of the League of Women Voters of Indianapolis, a non-partisan organization designed to educate voters. “We feel the need to help voters understand the mechanics of voting so that the process will be smooth for them.”
The league has been holding a series of 45-minute seminars at library branches throughout Marion County, with the last one taking place Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Central Library branch, 202 N. Alabama St.
“We’ve been showing citizens how to verify their registration, check polling locations and understand all the offices and referendum issues on the ballot,” said Kelly.
Local organizations are also encouraging citizens to explore early voting or voting by absentee ballot as two options that can make the process more convenient.
The Concerned Clergy, a community advocacy organization, has been working with initiatives such as Rock the Vote and Faith in Action to help citizens vote early.
“We’re expecting a huge turnout and the polls will probably be long,” said Margie Oakley, secretary of the Concerned Clergy. “We don’t want to see anyone discouraged and go home. Early voting helps you avoid the lines and it ensures that your vote is counted.”
Early voting allows citizens to cast a vote at the county clerk’s office or another designated site before Election Day. With voting by absentee ballot, someone serving away in the military, confined by health problems or scheduled to be out of town on Election Day may send a ballot to the county clerk’s office and have their vote counted.
Community leaders and activists are taking steps to ensure that voters aren’t challenged at the polls.
“This is a very important election, and I wouldn’t put it past anyone to try to steal it,” said Cornell Burris, president of the Greater Indianapolis Branch of the NAACP.
The NAACP has been working with the African American Coalition of Indianapolis, a sponsor of voter workshops and candidate debates, to prevent Indianapolis voters from experiencing the same kind of challenges endured by some citizens in Michigan, who were challenged by officials who said their registration was no longer valid due to foreclosure on their homes.
Burris said very few complaints were filed with NAACP about registration and voting during the primary election. He did, however, notice a few cases involving individuals who were asked for photo ID’s at one precinct, while citizens in another precinct were not. Indiana law requires all voters to present identification at the polls.
“We can’t let acts of discrimination and things like that happen again,” said Burris. “A lot is at stake in this election and we need to be on guard.”
Oakley said members of the Concerned Clergy, which includes ministers, elected officials, business professionals and activists, have met with Marion County Clerk Beth White, who is charged with overseeing local elections.
“We are convinced that her office has done everything possible to be adequately prepared for this election,” said Oakley. “More poll workers than usual will be assigned at precincts to respond to the larger turnout, and lines will be split down on an alphabetical basis so that voters can wait in smaller lines.”
Although Oakley expects cooperation from precinct officials, she’s not as confident in the county’s election machinery. Voters will have the option of filling out paper ballots that are scanned in machines, or making their choices with a computerized system.
“No election is ever perfect, but if voters have a problem it will probably have something to do with the machinery,” said Oakley, laughing. “They tested those things out this week and they passed with flying colors. But I know one of those machines will break down.”
Oakley, however, was quick to encourage voters to not turn away from polling places, regardless of the obstacles they face.
“Check the forecast and if you know it’s going to rain, take an umbrella. If you think you’ll be standing in line for a while, take a folding chair with you,” she said. “But whatever happens, make sure your vote gets counted.”
