Low Indianapolis voter turnout is predicted during the upcoming Primary Election. Pundits believe this year’s primary lacks the excitement of statewide contests, therefore voters may stay home.
Voting advocates say this is a mistake.
“It is our Constitutional right as citizens of this country to have a say-so in governance,” said Eugene Hawkins, civic engagement coordinator for the Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch #3053. “And for people of color who historically have not had the chance to vote, us voting respects our elders and the work they put in for us to have the right to vote.”
Marion County Clerk Myla Eldridge said beyond exercising our right as American citizens, voting affects the quality of daily life.
“The act of voting is your opportunity to choose the person who most resembles your belief system. Whether your candidate wins or loses, your vote sends a message about what is important to you. A vote, or no vote at all, gives politicians an idea of the segments of our population who actually voted. Politicians pay attention to voter turnout and craft policies to address the demographics of those who voted,” said Eldridge.
From the number of police officers on the streets to how much public funding is received for schools, voting influences a host of issues, she said.
Nationally, votes can determine policies that address health insurance, who gets to visit and live in the U.S. or whether or not America goes to war. Votes count.
Hawkins said even if Primary Elections don’t have hotly contested races or candidates, there could be questions on the ballot that could affect daily life.
“Democracy is government ‘by the people.’ By voting in all elections, – primary and general, presidential and non-presidential— ‘we the people’ are able to stake a claim in the government and to exercise control over where our communities are headed,” added Erin Kelley, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Indiana.
Voting advocates strongly urge everyone to participate in the upcoming Primary Election. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5.
If voters have questions about their polling site, they should visit Indy.gov/vip and enter their address.
For those who do not want to wait until Election Day, early voting is going on in the Clerk’s Office from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Monday, May 4, early voting is from 8 a.m. to noon in the Clerk’s Office.
Early voters are asked to park in the lot located at 355 E. Pearl St., which is located across from the LaQuinta Inn Hotel, at the intersection of New Jersey Street and Pearl Street, just south of Washington Street.
If you are a Libertarian or an Independent or do not identify with the Democrat or Republican Party, you can request a non-partisan ballot to vote on a public referendum. Public referendums are only available in Wayne Township, Perry Township, and Beech Grove.
Did not register to vote for the Primary Election? Don’t despair! You can still register to vote for the General Election, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
