While the hopes and dreams of many Blacks came true before their eyes, the massive voter turnout in itself is impressive. During the 2008 election Blacks stood on the shoulders of their ancestors. Ancestors who bore the pain of a whip; ancestors who faced dogs and fire hoses for civil rights; and ancestors who worked in sometimes unbearable conditions in pursuit of the American dream.
While across America voters came out in record numbers, all eyes were on the State of Indiana to further predict the outcome of this momentous occasion. Statistics show an estimated 2.7 million Hoosiers voted in the 2008 election.
Key counties that helped determine a Barack Obama victory in the battleground state included Lake County in northwest Indiana and Marion County in central Indiana. Obama was also able to turn the otherwise red state blue by about 23,000 votes.
With a heavy African-American population in Lake County, staff and volunteers expected a considerable voter turnout due to boosts in interest and an abundance of candidate support.
Early votes helped reduce lines at the polls yet voting locations stirred up a slight controversy. Bruce Lambka, one of several attorneys for Lake County Board of Elections and Registration, states by law anyone can cast an absentee ballot in the Lake County election office 29 days before an election and two Saturdays preceding the election.
Based on how statutes are written, Lake County is unique being that the board runs all of the functions, which is usually performed by clerks. Clerk offices in cities like Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond further complicated the issue.
Courts ruled it was appropriate to have those cities’ clerks offices as well as the in person absentee vote in the Elections and Registration office to give Lake County a leg up in the election.
Lake County didn’t use the minor setback to discourage or suppress their vote. Lambka states the total number of registered voters was 304,819. The total number of people who voted (except for provisional ballots) was 214,023, which is about a 70 percent turnout.
Both parties also relied on Marion County to persuade a statewide sweep in votes. Due to the popularity of this year’s election, Marion County Clerk, Elizabeth White expected high voter turnout. Large numbers in early votes solidified suspicions.
Based on the demographics in Marion County, this year’s election marked the highest voter turnout in the central Indiana County. Elections in the past have been unsteady but under White’s watch, the past three elections have ran smooth to which she credits being prepared.
Before voter rush, the Clerk’s office deployed additional resources including authorizing additional poll workers at each polling site, added voting booths and clipboards, thorough poll worker training, and absentee commissioners were doubled among others.
“Turnout was steady and there was beautiful weather. No election is perfect. At 6 a.m. polls were open and that was the important thing,” said White. “In many elections, people come out because they always do. This time, there seemed to be a different energy in the desire to participate in the process.
Lake and Marion Counties may now be major players in future elections yet many feel both parties performed the awesome and laborious task of simply getting Indiana residents registered to vote and out to the polls.
The Indiana Republican party states they did everything possible to get voters out to the polls. The week before Election Day, staff and volunteers made about 500,000 phone calls and knocked on about 100,000 doors. They also used direct mailings, urged early and absentee voting, and relied on county offices to drive voters to the polls.
Due to the historical nature of Obama’s candidacy, Democrats took a different route and collaborated with the Obama Campaign for Change. It was Obama’s decision to come to the state, education on his stance about certain issues and organization that got people from both sides of the aisles out to vote for the Illinois senator.
“Being touched, being reached out to on that level made all the difference in people coming out. It was a perfect storm,” said Lauren Smith, spokesperson for the Indiana Democratic Party. “People were upset at the economy — combine that with a positive plan for the future. It’s absolutely amazing. You have a candidate who is focused on the priorities that matter to working Hoosiers and has a solid plan to move that forward.”
Political pundits speculate it was not only Obama’s appeal and focus on important issues, but the progressive campaign strategies that got voters out to the polls, especially young voters. Obama’s campaign used strategies such as text messaging, neighborhood canvassing, virtual advertising in video games and social networking sites such as My Space and Facebook.
Joseph J. Wells, a 42 year old from Indianapolis, was one of many who was attracted by Obama’s message of change and voted for the first time in the 2008 election. Due to scare tactics in the past and unmotivated by previous presidential candidates, he didn’t feel the need to vote. His view on politics and voting has now forever changed.
“It was great; I’m so excited! My grandmother used to say that people died so I could have the right to vote. I always felt like that was a cliché. Now, I believe anything is possible. There’s nothing to be afraid of, your vote will count, and you should vote,” said Wells.
Throughout history Blacks across the globe have been waiting for Obama’s history-making achievement. Blacks, whites, Asians, and Hispanics witnessed the history of Barack Obama becoming the first Black president of the United States of America. Americans met that achievement by exercising their right to vote.
