MUNCIE, Ind. — With the general election approaching, exercising your right to vote is helpful, especially in local elections. In the 2020 general election, only 58 percent of those registered to vote in Delaware County voted.
This statistic makes Delaware County among the lowest in the state for voter turnout. However, this year, Grassroots, a voter outreach program, hosted an event to help citizens in Muncie register to vote to help change the narrative.
Tonia Martin, a citizen of Muncie, is hopeful that this event will encourage others to register to vote.
“Your vote means something. Every vote means something, so if you don’t do it, you’re just wasting your voice,” Martin said. “You have no room to say anything if you don’t get out and vote.”
Among those registered to vote are citizens with previous criminal backgrounds who add to the statistic of low voter turnout. Regardless of your background, voting helps advocate for change.
Susan Dillon, candidate for Indiana House Representatives District 34, encourages those with criminal backgrounds to vote to help give back to society.
“There are opportunities for them to put back into society things that they have taken away from society,” Dillon stated. “It is very important for people with a background to have a voice because they can also give hope to folks that are struggling now.”
However, many citizens with previous criminal backgrounds are unaware of their voting rights, especially in Delaware County.
“Many individuals on felony probation here in Delaware County don’t realize they still have the availability to vote,” Chief Probation Officer Jeff Hansard stated. “Unless that right has been removed via court order.”
For many citizens in Delaware County, safety is the main issue they focus on, and as a public safety official, Hansard believes the public’s input is valuable.
“When we discuss issues related to public safety in Muncie, Delaware County, it’s important that the public is involved in public safety,” Hansard emphasized.
No matter your background, citizens should make themselves heard by voting for what
they believe in. For more voting information, visit https://indianavoters.in.gov/.
Contact Amelia Winter with comments at amelia.winter@bsu.edu.
