Julia Vaughn Executive Director at Common Cause Indiana | Official website
Julia Vaughn Executive Director at Common Cause Indiana | Official website
INDIANA—Yesterday, a diverse coalition of nonpartisan organizations sent a letter to Secretary of State Diego Morales outlining their concerns over reported plans to encourage more law enforcement presence at the polls to combat election interference. The letter cited the unintended consequences of police officers stationed at polling sites.
“Election Day should be a day of celebration for our community and our freedom to vote,” said Julia Vaughn, Common Cause Indiana Executive Director. “But unfortunately, our state’s history makes the mere presence of police and guns unsettling for many voters. We look forward to sitting down with Secretary Morales and finding a path forward that ensures Election Day is safe and welcoming for all Hoosiers.”
The organizations wrote, “Efforts to secure our elections must take into account the history of police officers targeting and intimidating voters of color at polls, especially given that some communities continue to experience problems of racial profiling and over-policing.”
The letter was signed by 12 organizations that represent tens of thousands of Hoosier voters:
ACLU-Indiana
Chicago Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights Under Law
Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Common Cause Indiana
Concerned Clergy Indianapolis
Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation
Indiana Vote by Mail
League of Conservation Voters Indiana
League of Women Voters of Indiana
MadVoters Indiana
Stand Up Indiana
Women 4 Change Indiana
To read the letter, click here.
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