The fight for voting rights in this country has historically been a focus of conflict and concern stretching back as far as the Voting Rights Act of 1866, which granted all native-born Americans citizenship, yet denied some the right to vote.
The work of activists in the American Civil Rights Movement, perhaps most famously the Selma to Montgomery March of 1965, focused national attention on voter suppression practices such as poll taxes and selective literacy tests.
Eventually, the activists’ efforts led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting and protected American rights.
Currently in Indianapolis, some citizens are expressing rising concern about the potential for voter disenfranchisement represented by Senate Bill 466, authored by senators Pete Miller, R-Avon, and Michael Young, R-Indianapolis.
The 113-page bill includes provisions that a voter does not gain residency in a precinct into which the person is physically present for: temporary employment; educational purposes; preparing to purchase or occupy a residence; or other purposes without the intent of making a permanent home in the precinct.
From video footage on statehousefile.com of a bill hearing held in early February, Indiana University sophomore Morgan Mohr shared that she felt the bill would disenfranchise students. “As students we are supposed to engage in the civic process and if we can’t vote in the community in which we are participants of, that seriously hinders our ability to learn to be good citizens,” Mohr said.
In response, Sen. Miller said he was “surprised and shocked,” to learn students felt this way. “I don’t see this as anything other than an attempt to keep current with best practices and ensure that anyone who wants to vote has the opportunity… there are actually a few provisions in there I feel make it easier and more simple for people to vote,” said Miller.
“I am eager to hear what the issues are specifically… the intent is to clarify what is and is not allowed under the law and there is no hidden purpose or suppression whatsoever.”
City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson disagreed, stating he sees bills such as SB 466 as intentional obstacles for voters. “This is a way to hold on to power,” he said. “If you can limit someone’s ability to participate it gives you the power of longevity.”
Locally, community leaders and activists plan to highlight these issues and also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the voting rights marches and demonstrations held in Selma, Ala. with a march of their own on March 7.
David Hampton, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church said he hopes the event, which is being promoted with the tagline “Selma Now,” will help citizens understand the gravity of issues specific to Indiana. “We had one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation in the last election,” he said. Hampton added that the event is not only a way to commemorate the past but to hopefully plan for the future.
“By no means can we relax now. We understand that Indiana is one of 22 states where there are still voting restrictions in place,” said City-County Council President Maggie Lewis. “We want to encourage people to pay attention and understand the power of their vote.”
The “Selma Now” march begins at noon with a brief program led by WTLC-AM (1310) talk show host and Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper columnist Amos Brown at Light of the World Christian Church, 4646 Michigan Road.
The march will end at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis.
