It's easier to vote in Marion County, clerk says — if you register by April 4

The right to vote, to have influence in electing the political leadership of our community, is an exciting prospect and a solemn civic duty. Unfortunately, fewer voters participate in primary elections—like the one rapidly approaching on May 3—than the general election in November.

Primary elections present an opportunity to engage with a wide array of candidates running for office before they have secured the full support of their respective political parties.

For newly eligible voters and those engaging with the electoral process for the first time, participation in a primary election is key to familiarizing yourself with the candidates for public office. For future candidates running for office, voting in a primary election can be a prerequisite for seeking your party’s nomination.

I encourage all Marion County residents who are not currently registered to vote to do so before the coming April 4 deadline, because only registered voters can participate in the May primary election. If you are unsure whether or not you are currently registered or whether you are registered at the correct address, you can check your registration status in the Voter Information Portal.

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Because more than three-quarters of all voters vote consistently along political party lines, most enter their vote centers in November with a clear choice in mind. The primary election, however, provides the only real chance for the general public to influence the choices available to voters in the general election.

While we aren’t electing a new president or our next governor, there are many crucial races that Marion County voters will help decide this spring—including those for the U.S. Senate, Indiana General Assembly, county officials, and local school boards.

Not only is voter registration and turnout crucial to our democracy, it’s also never been easier.

A substantial number of voters nationwide perceive voting as being at least “somewhat difficult,” according to a 2018 Pew Research poll, and while there are certainly some barriers to voting—transportation chief among them—that hasn’t stopped Marion County voters in the recent past.

Despite a difficult 2020 caused by pandemic-related shifts to dates and processes, voter turnout in the county surged to 58.8% of eligible voters, the highest level of turnout since the presidential election of 1992.

I’m proud to say that the Marion County Election Board has made strides each election cycle to expand access for Marion County voters. We have expanded early voting at the City-County Building, making it possible for any registered voter to come in-person to vote beginning April 5.

We have transitioned to vote centers from a precinct-based model so voters no longer have to vote at one specific location. Finally, we’ve worked to expand satellite locations for early voters in the two weeks leading up to Election Day.

To be eligible to vote in the Indiana primary election this May and the general election in November, you must be a United States citizen and you must be 18 years old by Nov. 8. That means 17-year-old citizens who turn 18 before the November election can register to vote now and participate in the primary election. You do not need to be a political expert to use your voice and your vote.

Voter participation is the foundation of our political process. It is incumbent upon all of us to weigh in with our preferences and empower our elected officials to govern in our interests. We do this in a two-step process of first registering to vote, and second, voting.

Myla Eldridge was elected Marion County Clerk in 2014.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Deadline to vote is April 4 in Marion County Clerk Myla Eldridge