It’s clear that Bulldogs — students, faculty, staff and alumni — are civically engaged and want to use their voices and votes to shape local, state and federal policy. It warmed my heart to watch a steady flow of voters move through Hinkle Fieldhouse over the course of 12 hours to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 general election. More so when students stepped up to cast their first votes.
And it was equally heartbreaking to see some young voters leaving without having completed their mission. It wasn’t a long line or even lack of qualifying identification that stood in their way. Instead, it was the lack of a proper voter registration record.
Some excited voters were registered in other counties or even in other states. Some were not registered at all but hoping they could secure a registration much like they might get a seat in the Dawg Pound as they walk into a basketball game.
A few had planned so that they could vote absentee in their home state and were dismayed that they could not turn it in at an on-campus polling location and have it counted in another state that same night.
I commend the attempts to exercise their right to vote. I appreciate roommates talking each other into making the trek to Hinkle and asking for an exception to be made. I understand that critical reminders about registering — and later, voting — can be drowned out among the noise of everyday life.
This, fortunately, is an easy problem to fix. Right now — before you forget — stop reading, go to IndianaVoters.in.gov and register in the county you will vote in the May 5, 2027 primary. Then forward this to your friends and ask them to do the same. Right now. Before they forget.
The 2027 Primary in Indianapolis will include candidates for Indianapolis Mayor and city council. These men and women will make decisions that impact campus, employers and career opportunities, housing options, affordability, public safety and many contributors to quality of life. This is an election that directly affects you.
Voter registration closes 29 days before each election — April 6, 2027. But why wait and risk missing your one opportunity to vote in the spring? Do it now and know that you’ll be able to walk confidently into Hinkle, show your Indiana state-issued ID or passport, and exercise your right to choose our next city leaders… and then do it again in the spring and fall of 2028 when the White House is again on the ballot.
Did I mention you only get a sticker if you cast a ballot?
Trena Roudebush
Butler University Class of ’98, campus neighbor and volunteer poll worker