To the editor:

May 8 is the 2018 primary election in Indiana. Register to vote by the deadline, April 9. Vote!

WHY VOTE? Who will end up on the general election ballot in November hoping to represent you? The primary election in May decides the official party candidates. Many primary contests in 2018 have more than one candidate running as a Democrat or Republican. Who do you want to make decisions that govern your quality of life? It’s up to you — if you vote.

If you don’t vote, you are letting “someone else” pick the candidate who may make decisions on your taxes, your roads, your schools, your health care, your air and water, your internet access, your life. In 2014, the last non-presidential election year, one out of four Brown Countians voted in the primary. That’s right; in 2014, only 25 percent of registered voters cast a primary ballot and chose the candidates! We can do better.

VOTE. DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP. If you will be age 18 by Nov. 8, 2018, you can vote in the May primary — if you register by April 9. You are now able to register to vote by simply texting “Indiana” to 28683 or, if you have an alphanumeric keyboard, you can text 2VOTE. You will then receive a link to the excellent Indiana Voter Portal. Even if you think you are registered, be sure and check your registration. If there are errors, you can correct them right online (there’s a direct link to this on the site). It never hurts to make sure your records are correct. The League of Women Voters applauds Secretary of State Connie Lawson for this initiative. If you don’t wish to text, register online or check to confirm your registration at IndianaVoters.com, or call the Brown County clerk’s office: 812-988-5510.

NOT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN? Did you know you can vote in the primary even if you don’t consider yourself affiliated with either major party? Indiana law allows people to request either a Democrat or Republican ballot to vote in the primary. Please note: 1) party poll watchers are allowed to challenge those they believe are in fact members in the other party, and 2) if you later seek an appointive office that has a party affiliation required, your primary ballot record may be consulted to verify your party.

VOTE EARLY! Can’t wait to vote? Vote early! Starting April 10, you can vote in person at the Brown County office building, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until noon May 7; and voting is available two Saturdays: April 28 and May 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CAN’T GET TO THE POLLS? VOTE ABSENTEE. You can get an absentee ballot if you will be out of the area for work on voting day, you have a disability, you are 65 years old, you can’t get to the polls, and a few more exceptions. Just apply for the ballot and turn it in on time. For details see vote.org/absentee-ballot/indiana, or contact the Brown County clerk’s office.

WANT TO HELP ON PRIMARY ELECTION DAY? Contact the chairs of the Republican or Democratic parties to find out about being a poll worker or poll watcher, or call the Brown County clerk’s office.

WHO’S ON THE BROWN COUNTY PRIMARY BALLOT? For a list, see bcdemocrat.com/2018/02/09/candidates-on-brown-county-primary-ballot or get a list from the Brown County clerk’s office. Sample ballots will be available soon.

COME MEET THE CANDIDATES! Want to know more about the candidates? Ask questions. Come to the candidate forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Brown County. There will be forums on April 3 and April 11. Watch the Brown County Democrat for further information and times.

Julie Winn and Shari Frank, president and vice president, League of Women Voters of Brown County (submitted by Winn)