Do you plan to vote in the election? I certainly do. And I’ll tell every mom that I can—you need to vote because it’s more important than ever.
Did you know that in the last Presidential election, voter turnout in Indiana was 46th in the country? And in the previous midterm, 2022, we fared even worse at dead last.
With so many people in our state not voting, it seems fair to say that our elected officials don’t necessarily reflect our citizens’ views. While there are many reasons we can point to as to why Indiana doesn’t have a great turnout, one common belief is that one vote doesn’t matter. If you’ve fallen into that line of thinking, consider this: In 2019, Jerone Wood received 260 votes in the race for a Columbus, Indiana City Council seat. He beat the incumbent, Dascal Bunch, who had 259 votes.
While I don’t know how many non-voters are in fact moms, statistics show us that voters 30-44 turn out less than those 45-59 and 60+. Women voters only have a slight edge over male voters.
If you’ve read along this far and you’re already to vote but need help making a plan, I’ve compiled a few key dates, resources, and requirements for ensuring your voice is heard this November.
Voter ID Requirements
Indiana law requires all in-person voters to share a form of valid I.D. before signing the poll book. To be valid, identification cards MUST be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government and include the following:
- Your photo
- Your name, which must conform to your voter registration record
- An expiration date that is current or expired AFTER the last general election
If you do not possess a valid form of I.D. for voting purposes, the Indiana BMV is required to provide a card for FREE, but only if you ask.
College students, please note: College identification cards are acceptable IF they are issued by a state school and meet the above requirements. I.D.s from a private school are not valid.
Research your candidates
Before heading to the polls, you can enter your address here and learn who is on your ballot and where they stand on the issues.
Additionally, when researching who I plan to vote for, I review endorsements by organizations that align with my values and beliefs. A few of those organizations include:
Indiana State Teachers Association (Dedicated to advancing public education)
Mad Voters (Works to ensure democracy across Indiana)
Moms Demand Action (Committed to ending gun violence, the leading cause of death for American children)
Our Choice Coalition (Believes women should be able to make private reproductive healthcare decisions)
Early Voting
While election day this year is November 5th, early voting begins October 8th. You do not need to do anything or meet any special requirements to vote early. Many love the excitement and camaraderie of voting on election day, but personally, I’m an early voter. I’d hate to have a family emergency or fall ill on election day. Remember that five years ago election that came down to just one vote? I’d be kicking myself if my candidate lost and I didn’t vote.
Early voting is also a fantastic option if you need or want to take your kids with you. If you don’t have anyone to watch them and are worried about how they’ll behave – have no fear. Early voting lines are typically extremely short. I’ve been in and out in five minutes or less. And if you have older kids, it’s an extremely valuable experience. It allows you to share what a privilege it is to vote and have a say in what happens in our daily lives. Plus, free I Voted! stickers!
You can check indianavoters.in.gov to find dates and times in your area.
Know What it Means to Vote Straight Ticket
When you enter the voting booth, you’ll see an option to vote straight ticket. While you can vote this way, voting straight ticket won’t select any school board candidates because those are non-partisan. In Indiana, we also have the opportunity to vote yes or no when it comes to retaining three Indiana Supreme Court justices. You’ll need to scroll down to make these selections.
It’s Important to Vote, Even if You Hate Politics
We’re all being bombarded with texts, commercials, and fliers. Some of it gets downright nasty. But we don’t have the option to not be political. The people we will elect will help determine how safe our kids are in school, the healthcare we have access to and basic human rights for minorities and members of the LTGBTQ+ community.
You don’t have to get in fights with your weird uncle at the family barbeque or respond to every Facebook troll out there, but you should, at minimum, vote.
Election Day
If you choose to vote on election day, all polls in Indiana are open from 6 am to 6 pm. If you are in line by 6 pm, you have the right to vote – no matter how long it takes.
If you are told you cannot vote or experience voter intimidation, call the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-687-8683 before leaving your polling location.
I hope you’re excited to vote. Voting is a right and a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Spread the word to your Indiana mom friends—let’s make our voices count!
