The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin (TNS)
In an already tumultuous election season, here’s even more distressing news.
Indiana ranked 50th out of 51 in midterm voter turnout in 2022, the most recent figures available to the Indiana Bar Civic Foundation. The study included Washington, D.C.
Indiana stood at 43% of eligible voters casting ballots, compared to the country’s 52%. Hoosiers were 43rd in voter turnout 2018, tumbling seven more spots four years later.
Not even presidential elections can seem to get Hoosiers to the polls. In 2012, Indiana ranked 36th in voting turnout, and in 2020, the state’s rank dropped to 46th, according to the Foundation’s Indiana Civic Health Index.
This comes despite Indiana seeing more than 3 million voters in 2020, a 9% increase from 2016 but far below the national average of a 15% increase.
What’s the problem?
Voters easily become disillusioned with the attacks leveled between the major parties. We are in an unprecedented era when there’s mistrust of election results. Voters want more choices in candidates.
Some won’t make the effort to vote because they believe the clear majority will be on the other side. Going to a polling site takes too much time, some say.
These are all weak arguments.
Regaining our civic pride and participating in the democratic process relies first on voter registration.
As the Indiana Bar Civic Foundation report states, “Between 2010-2022, Indiana’s voter registration ranking has consistently fallen and places the state in the bottom half of all states.”
This statewide problem can be rectified. The challenge is to involve not just young voters, but those of all eligible ages.
Get started by going to vote.gov or indianavoters.in.gov, where you’ll be able to join about 4.8 million registered voters in the state.
Among the many reasons to vote: it instills civic pride, upholds traditions, practices a sacred right and helps keep stability in our democratic system. It also expands the constituencies that make public officials accountable.
Hoosiers have until Monday, Oct. 7, to register, either online or in person at county voter registration offices. If you’re mailing your voter registration, it must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
Registering to vote is an easy first step toward making your voice heard — and toward moving Indiana out of 50th place in voter turnout.
