When supermajorities prevail, our democracy suffers. In our experience as volunteer advocates at the Indiana Statehouse, we have learned that we can be ignored by our legislators, because they know we aren’t powerful lobbyists. We know that some of our former Republican allies have either retired from the statehouse or been primaried by hardline partisans and the needs of Hoosiers are forgotten.
We are asking you to help bring balance to help restore checks and balances to our legislatures, both state and federal. Look at your local races and look at what each candidate’s platform is. Is it filled with hate and anger against others? Or is your local candidate seeking help for Hoosiers in food support, affordable housing, health care and accountability for actions such as non-bid contracts and grift occurring in our politics that was unheard of in our prior elections?
Do you have a local or congressional candidate whose policies and campaign align with our Quaker values? One of us (Mary) recently went door to door to help J.D. Ford, an Indiana State Senator running to unseat Rep. Victoria Spartz in Congressional District 5. She had never done this before, and while it was hot and humid, she felt a civic obligation to get a person of integrity into that seat. Additionally, she is hosting an event to write postcards to help support his campaign, because we know his character and good work from years of lobbying him at the Statehouse. She makes these efforts as a private citizen and not as an IFCL volunteer or representative. We ask you to consider whether you feel called to do something to support our precious democracy.
Elections Are Coming Up: Deadlines to know
· October 5, 2026. Voter Registrations Ends. It’s essential that you check your registration now to be sure your registration hasn’t been purged. Check here
· October 6, 2026. Early in person voting starts
· Planning to vote absentee by mail? Click here
Early in person voting is highly recommended this year. Indianapolis starts early voting on October 6 at the City County Building. Boone County residents can vote at the courthouse, and Hamilton County has 2 locations. Not in these metro counties? Check with your county clerk to be prepared.
IFCL believes in the importance of all Hoosiers voting to elect their public officials. Many of our forebears fought to preserve this essential right for U.S. citizens, so now is an important time to exercise this right to vote for people of integrity who value the common good of all, peace and justice. IFCL has developed a Friendly yard sign to encourage Hoosiers to vote. Please let Mary Blackburn know if you want to have a yard sign. Signs will be available at Western Yearly Meeting Sessions depending on availability. Donations appreciated to offset the cost of this public service.