Election season is upon us in Indiana as the 2015 spring primary election date quickly approaches. In preparation for the May primaries, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper in partnership with local marketing and communications agency Herd Strategies, will host “We Can’t Wait, A Voter Awareness Experience” on April 2 at the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis.
“The Recorder’s legacy has long been tied to educating the public and supporting the needs of the entire community and it is something we will do for years to come. ‘We Can’t Wait’ is just another extension of our mission to prepare a conscious community today and beyond,” said Recorder President Shannon Williams.
“We have invited community groups such as Indy 10 and organizations like the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the NAACP and representatives from the Marion County Election Board as well as key public and elected officials to participate in this effort. I really want to encourage the public to come out and be educated on how the political process affects them and how they can get involved.”
Denise Herd, president of Herd Strategies said partnering with the Recorder on the effort was something she deemed to be both socially conscious and necessary. “Voting is a powerful tool that when used wisely can have a strong impact on a community. But we need to understand the legislative process and also listen and watch the candidates seeking our vote,” she said. “Think about how differently the lives of the people in Ferguson would be right now if they had voted during the last election. The people in the community have constantly called into question the actions of the prosecuting attorney. During their last election voter turnout was low and he won again. Your vote matters… when we don’t vote we are allowing apathy to guide our decisions.”
Although widespread apathy and a slew of other deterrents have kept voters away from the polls, resulting in what was the lowest turnout nationally in 72 years as well as a record low for the Hoosier State last November, local residents like De Anna Woodruff, 39, are still excited to cast their ballot.
“I voted for the first time in 1994,” said Woodruff. “I’m embarrassed to say I cannot remember everyone that was on the ballot, but I do remember being excited. I was so proud when I pulled that lever that registered my vote and the curtain opened.”
Though some figures in popular culture, such as comedian Russell Brand and hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco have been outspoken in their views challenging the effectiveness of voting in modern society, Woodruff said her right to vote is something she doesn’t take for granted.
“I take it as a duty, an obligation to vote. Those who came before us fought and died for us to have this right, and I do not take it lightly.”
In an interview with the Recorder following the November general election, Visit Indy’s director of partner relations Marshawn Wolley, said he admittedly “struggles” with the idea of voting as a method of enacting social change.
“Yes, I show up to vote but it’s really more out of habit —I don’t even include it as a part of civic responsibility because it’s only one day,” he said. “I think older generations use hyperbole by saying people died for the right to vote. I don’t believe that. I think if anyone died, they died for the opportunity to change their circumstances and right now I don’t think voting is the way to change your circumstances.”
Woodruff, who has been actively involved as a poll worker and then a precinct committee member, said one of her primary focuses currently is to inspire the next generation. “I’m still working and now one of my tasks is helping get young people out to work on Election Day, and yes…I still get excited, every time I vote.”
Bryan Chatfield, outreach and recruitment coordinator for the Marion County Election Board, said he is looking forward to being involved in the “We Can’t Wait” event as he has experienced firsthand the positive effects of civic duty. “My grandfather, who was a union president with the steel mill in Gary, inspired me greatly,” said Chatfield.
“I wanted to participate even then as a kid but as I got older I understood it a little bit more and understood how important voting and being politically aware was because for my family it was important to stay involved locally because it affected our everyday lives,” he said.
“I would love to see everyone, even families with small children, come out to the event on April 2,” said Chatfield. “It’s never too early to become acclimated with the political process.
“On the heels of the 50th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Selma, I want people to remember the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and remember how important it was to leaders of the time – to risk their lives to make sure we had this right. It’s not something we should keep at the back of our minds, those experiences and that history should remain at the forefront even in 2015.”
