Marion County voting event doubles as a call to action, as low voter turnout persists

Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom of voter participation and turnout. A recent event held on the anniversary of the 59th signing of the Voter Rights Act doubled as a call to action.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory voting practices that included poll taxes and literacy tests that targeted Black voters. It came on the heels of the Civil Rights Act.

Cornelia Lewis-Burks says she remembers those years. The long-time Indianapolis resident has worked as a nurse, a union lobbyist and a vice chair for the Indiana Democratic Party.

Lewis-Burks spoke at this week’s voting event and said increasing voter participation is key.

“Democracy is on the ballot and we need to make sure that everybody we know gets out and votes,” she said.

Indiana lawmakers in recent years have approved legislation that requires additional steps to verify voters and tighten mail-in voting requirements — something voting rights advocates say restricts access.

The Marion County Clerk’s Office held the event, and Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell said voters in Indiana need to feel more included.

“Too many of our fellow citizens feel disconnected from the electoral process,” Sweeney Bell said. “They feel their vote doesn’t matter and their voice isn’t heard.”

Marion County has increased voter options in recent years by adding early voting satellite locations and allowing people to vote at any polling place on Election Day.

Senator Andrea Hunley said the state could take up more measures to improve voter options. 

“We could definitely do more by allowing for no-excuse absentee voting, which would be huge, there are things that we could be doing to pull Indiana out of the bottom,” Hunley said.

The event also registered voters and poll workers ahead of the November Election. The deadline to register to vote is October 7.