The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County will host several voter forums this fall to explain the voting process, from finding your voting location to ensuring that you are registered to learning the requirements for early voting.
Area libraries will host the sessions, which are free and open to the public. Members of the League will present basic procedures, introduce voter resources and answer questions.
"We've heard from our members who work the polls that some voters find the process intimidating, especially if they're new voters or have moved to Indiana from a state with different voting practices," said LWVHC president Lisa Dick.
Indiana processes have changed a bit, too, another reason the local league devised these sessions to help voters, she said. For example, some changes to the process of applying for an absentee ballot are new this voting season.
Sessions will cover registration, such as when and how to register, age limits and deadlines, and ways to access information about candidates. Members will demonstrate how to use the Indiana Voters Portal, where users can complete a variety of tasks, and will introduce Vote411, the league’s website that features candidates’ statements and positions.
The Voter Forums schedule is:
6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, Westfield Washington Public Library, 300 W. Hoover Road, Westfield;
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, Hamilton East Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, Noblesville;
3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Dr., Fishers;
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel;
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, Sheridan Public Library, 103 W. First St., Sheridan.
While the league has focused on candidate forums in the past, Dick said the voter forums are a way to engage directly with voters about the election process. She met with Hamilton County election officials this summer to learn how the league could help.
“They encouraged us to promote doing everything early -- registration, applying for absentee ballots if necessary, and voting early," Dick said. “But as we hear from poll workers and from voters when we are out in the community, people have a lot of questions.”
The League will continue to gather candidate surveys for its Vote411.org guide, which allows users to plug in their addresses to see all the information they need about their precincts and voting locations. They also may read about candidates running in their areas who completed the survey.
“Vote411.org remains a critical tool for voters, with resources all in one place, tailored for each individual,” Dick said. “Coupled with these voter forums, young voters, new voters and anyone who wants to better understand the steps involved in this basic right of citizenship will have all the information they need."
The League of Women Voters, formed in 1920, is a nonpartisan organization that encourages participation in government and works to increase understanding of public policy issues. If you have questions, contact the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County at lwvhc@gmail.com, learn more at lwvhcin.org or follow the group’s Facebook page.