Why we vote.
As the leaves start to fall and the promise of chilly weather arrives, there’s something else on the horizon: Indiana’s voter registration deadline.
Hoosier voters will need to register or update their registration (if needed) by midnight on Monday, October 7.
If you will be 18 by November 5, you can vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, you can vote. If you were previously incarcerated, you can vote.
Learn more about misconceptions around who can vote in Indiana here. Then, head over to indianavoters.in.gov to register today.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was landmark legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting – but it was by no means the end of our fight. Between January 1 and May 3 of this year, at least six states enacted seven restrictive voting laws, including Indiana. The Indiana Statehouse’s House Enrolled Act 1264 requires voting officials to verify citizenship by comparing the statewide voter registration system with the Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s list of temporary credentials given to noncitizens. While the bill claims to prevent noncitizens from voting, in practice, it could make it harder for eligible, registered U.S. citizens to voting.
This bill echoes a national push to “crack down” on noncitizens from voting. The problem? It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and studies show that voting by noncitizens is incredibly rare – because it’s already a federal crime that could result in five years in prison simply for registering to vote, and it’s already a deportable offense. Plus, it would prevent noncitizens from becoming citizens, so it’s no surprise it’s not a risk most people would be willing to take.
The SAVE Act in Congress, which I strongly oppose, would prevent Americans from using their military IDs or Tribal IDs when registering to vote. It also would mean millions of married women who have changed their names would not be able to use their birth certificates to prove their citizenship.
We need to make voting easier, not harder. These restrictive and redundant new laws use scare tactics that have no basis in fact and impose an unnecessary burden on our most sacred right: the right to make our voices heard at the ballot box.
It’s why I’ll continue to oppose these senseless, dangerous bills and fight for the expansion of voting rights, like the Freedom to Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act, and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act – named after my friend and mentor the late, great Congressman John Lewis.
We can combat these efforts to stifle our voices by registering to vote and encouraging our friends and families to do the same. Again, Indiana’s voter registration deadline is October 7 – don’t forget!
Success Story of the Week:
My office was able to answer an Indy resident's questions about Social Security. Here's what they had to say:
“We have an adopted daughter who was born with some medical conditions that should have qualified her for Social Security benefits as an adult. For almost two years, I went back and forth with Social Security. I contacted Congressman Carson’s Office for assistance. They were extremely helpful throughout the entire process, kept me updated, and always returned my calls or emails."
--Indianapolis Resident
Team Carson is Here to Serve:
Did you know that in 2023, my office responded to over 70,000 of your messages and brought $1.5 MILLION directly back to Indianapolis families? Team Carson is here to serve you – get in touch to find out how we can help you navigate a federal agency, access government benefits, or recognize a community member’s milestone.
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Your Friend,
André