How do you feel about a strong ruler who doesn't have to bother with Congress or elections?
A Harvard social scientist began asking this question of people around the world in the 2010s and keeps asking it, tracking the changing numbers of people who increasingly say they'd prefer it.
In "Tweak the Vote," the podcast Radiolab reported that in 1995, 24% of Americans endorsed that kind of strongman leader but the number has jumped to 32% in recent years. The question social scientists are exploring on why more people seem weary of democracy.
What would you rather live under? Would it really be living under leadership that never changed and oppressed people?
"The adventure of democracy is that it admits that nothing is ever right. We always have to fix it. And the system has built-in impermanence. Every six years, you elect a senator over again. Every two years, you elect the congressman over again. Every four years, you can have the option to switch presidents," says Simon Adler, the podcast host. "Presidents can't serve beyond a particular point. There will be checks. There will be balances." The episode's writers dig deep into tweaking our system to help Americans feel like their vote matters.
Thus, we continue this adventure, pressing on for fixes and voting.
So, what can you expect as you prepare to cast your ballot this year?
Here’s what to expect if you haven’t voted recently.
First, go to vote411.org to check your registration. Registration to vote in Indiana closed on October 7, but if you’ve voted in the past two years, you’re likely on the rolls. Before you show up to vote, check to make sure.
Second, early voting is already open. Anyone can pop into the county courthouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday from now through November 4 to avoid long lines and cast their ballot prior to Election Day. Be sure to bring your state ID. Procedures for early voting will vary a bit from those voting on November 5, but not by much.
After you enter the courthouse - you will go through routine security - voting is to your left on the first floor. Be ready to show your ID. You’ll be asked if you still reside at the address on the ID. If you’ve moved recently, don’t fret. Tell them your new address. If you’ve moved recently, you may have to fill out a provisional ballot and return with proof of address. Don’t stress. You can return with the documentation you need before the deadline.
After you sign in and your sign-in volunteer matches your signature, another volunteer will walk you to a machine and scan the printout that signs you into the voting machine (so no one else can vote with your ID). This touchscreen machine shows the ballot, records your choices, and at the end, prints your ballot. Be sure to walk through all the pages that are on the ballots. (The first screen provides detailed instructions if you are new to this.)
If you haven’t previewed the ballot, you can find it here: Vote411.org. In addition to voting for various elected officials, you’ll face a constitutional amendment question on the ballot this year. The ballot question reads: Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant?
The state superintendent of public education is no longer an elected position, so removing that office for succession may make sense if you prefer to see only elected officials fill in as governor in the case of emergencies.
- A "yes" vote supports removing the superintendent of public instruction from the gubernatorial line of succession.
- A "no" vote opposes removing the superintendent of public instruction from the gubernatorial line of succession, thereby maintaining current law providing that the superintendent is last in the line of gubernatorial succession.
After you answer that question, you’ll scroll through the rest of the pages, starting with the presidential election. Residents of Crawfordsville can vote for up to 21 positions, including governor, state representatives, attorney general council members, school board, clerk, coroner, county commissioner board member, council-at-large, county recorder surveyor, among others before you get to the question of retaining five of Indiana Supreme Court members.
What you need to know about the Supreme Court retention question is that Indiana’s Supreme Court is appointed by the governor. The public votes to retain or oust judges in the first election after they’ve served two years and then again every ten years. Some key cases these judges have decided on include Indiana’s abortion ban, against protecting wetlands, and Centerpoint Energy.
You can read more in “The Indiana Lawyer,” which reported on April 24, 2024 that the state’s court is generally considered moderate. Read their report on the court’s makeup and key rulings in the article “‘Flaming moderates’: Many say Indiana courts remain centrist despite heavy GOP tilt” You can also read up on the court’s rulings in the Indiana University paper Indiana Daily Student piece, Indiana voters can oust or retain 5 judges this November. Who are they?” Or, you can learn more in Evansville’s Journal and Courier’s “State judges are on the ballot in 2024. Here's how they've ruled on abortion, CenterPoint.” Of course, there are many other articles as well.
Once you’ve finished your touchscreen voting, you’ll be allowed to review and change any votes, and then you’ll print your paper ballot. This is an important point in today’s contested election process. The vote being counted is from a paper ballot.
When you’re finished voting you’ll fold your paper ballot closed so that the back side is visible, and go to a table where two volunteers must initial the back. (As with check-in, there must be a volunteer from each party present to ensure fairness.)
If you vote early, you’ll receive an envelope that you must sign and print with your name before sealing your paper ballot and submitting it for counting on November 5. If you vote on November 5, you’ll place your paper ballot in a counting machine that stores the paper ballot for later double-checking.
All of these ballots are secured in the clerk’s office at the end of each night.
No votes may be counted until November 5, including mail-in absentee ballots. Every single ballot is secured with legal ramifications if they are tampered with.
So, what kinds of irregularities may happen with voting?
The first is that there is no electioneering, which simply means campaigning, within 50 feet of the polling station entrance. This includes individuals wearing any hats, shirts, buttons or stickers promoting a candidate or party. You may be asked to turn your shirt inside out, and put your hat (or other items) in your car. You can still vote.
If you have the same name as a parent or ancestor, your ID and birthdate will help distinguish you. If you have a twin with a similar name or initials, you may be asked twice for clarification to ensure that no one voted in your place. This doesn’t mean you can’t vote.
If you thought you were registered or have a new address, you may still vote with a provisional ballot. For that ballot to be counted you must provide the necessary documentation listed within the time period you are given. You will not receive a call or reminder to bring it to the clerk’s office.
“Make a plan for when and where you will vote. Take the responsibility seriously. Encourage your family and friends to vote, offer to take them with you to the polls,” encouraged Virginia Servies. “Vote early, lines are shorter before Nov 5. Be patient, the poll workers are doing their best, being impatient or critical will not speed up the line,” said Servies.