The Brown County Voter
October 2024
The League of Women Voters of Brown County is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League works to increase understanding of major public policy issues through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all regardless of gender.
We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform
| Used with permission from Nick Anderson, cartoonist | Just a Note
By Shari Frank, LWVBC President
Your Vote Matters
Three weeks until Election Day November 5th, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
How will you vote? By mail? Early in Person? Election Day?
Elections have lots of rules to make them secure. But I think most of you agree that Voting is worth the work: to find out the hours, beat the deadlines, learn about the candidates and vote for those we think will best serve us and our vision of the future.
Does your vote really matter? You decide. In 2023, one (1) vote determined a new Nashville Town Council member. In 2022, 37 votes out of twenty six thousand (26,000) decided the winner for the District 62 Indiana State Representative. The votes were so close, candidates asked for recounts. After the recounts, the winners didn’t change, though the margins nudged a tiny bit.
Gerrymandering is known to contribute to lower voter turnout. But, in some districts, increased voter turnout can reduce or eliminate the unfair impact of gerrymandering. So, no excuses. Get out and Vote and take five friends and neighbors. Don’t wake up the day after the election and say, gee I didn’t think my vote would make a difference.
The election system is secure, even with glitches. Every election is susceptible to glitches. But, the election process builds in lots of safety features. Federal and State law provide guidelines to keep votes and the elections secure.
In Wisconsin, in September 2024, it was announced that about 2,000 duplicate ballots were mailed out by accident. But, the Wisconsin system tracks voters’ returned ballots, so no more than one ballot can be counted when returned because every ballot is assigned to a voter, and once their ballot is in, there can’t be another.
In Brown County, we, too, had a glitch where a small number of voters were mailed duplicate ballots. But duplicate ballots can’t be counted. The Indiana State Voter System tracks every ballot returned, by voter, so the fail-safe is that only one ballot per voter can be counted.
Another glitch in Brown County is that some voters, up to October 1, were mailed absentee ballots that do not include State Senate Race District 44. Senator Eric Koch (R), Indiana Senate District 44 candidate, is running unopposed for re-election. Senate District 44 includes all or parts of the following counties: Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe and Orange. This error occurred only with the Brown County ballots and the ballots have now been corrected and reprinted. Voters do not need to take any action. Any ballot missing Senate District 44, when returned will still be counted Election Day. If a voter chooses to redo their ballot, they can contact the Brown County Clerk’s office to surrender the defective ballot, complete a required form, and receive a replacement ballot. See “Press Release” on the Brown County Clerk elections website: https://www.browncounty-in.gov/268/Elections. Any defective ballot not redone by the voter will be redone by a bipartisan team to enable ballots to run through the tabulator to be counted.
What Can You Do To Make Sure Your Vote Counts?
- Check for two (2) Clerk initials on your ballot. Look on the back of the ballot, bottom right to be sure it has TWO clerk initials in the boxes. If not, surrender the ballot to get a new one with two clerks’ initials. Ballots printed from the Freedom Vote Ballot Marking Device also must receive two clerks’ initials. If there is a recount, ballots with missing initials can be rejected so they won’t count. So, check your ballot before you vote.
- Check for any extra marks on the ballot. If there is any extra mark, or you make a mistake – don’t try to erase it. Any mark other than a voting mark could void the ballot or cause an error in tabulating the vote. Surrender any questionable ballot for a clean ballot – with two clerks’ initials.
- Be sure to mark every vote carefully. Color in the oval next to the name. Make sure the mark is dark enough.
- The address on your ID does not have to match the address in the Poll book. But the address in the poll book should be your current address. If newly registered to vote in Indiana, you must provide proof of residence, usually two items, such as a bank statement or utility bills. Check your voter registration on www.IndianaVoters.com or call the Clerk’s office (812-988-5510) to see if you need additional documentation. If required, It typically must be provided by end of Election Day.
- Make sure your provisional ballot counts. If for any reason – such as you forgot your ID – you vote a provisional ballot – you must take steps to cure your ballot or it will not count. Provisional ballots may only count if the voter brings in missing information to the Clerk’s office within the deadline. A signature question must be resolved within 8 days. Most issues have up to noon 10 days after the election. But the voter must contact the Clerk’s office to see what they need to bring in and by when. Many provisional ballots are rejected because the Election Board cannot determine eligibility to vote and the voter did not follow up to provide missing info! Make your ballot count!
- On Election Day, vote in your precinct. On Election Day, you must vote in the poll location assigned to your residence. Brown County has eleven precincts. Each voter must go to their assigned precinct. Check www.IndianaVoters.com for your Election Day polling place, or contact the County Clerk (812-988-5510). The poll locations are the same as they were in the 2024 Primary. But two Washington poll locations are different than they were in 2022. So check www.IndianaVoters.com to see where you vote for Washington 1, 2, 3; Jackson 1, 2, 3, 4; Hamblen 1, 2, 3, or Van Buren 1.
If You Have A Problem Voting– Or A Voting Question
Know The Candidates Before You Vote
Call the Election Protection Hotline:866-687-8683 https://protectthevote.net/about/
Go to www.Vote411.org , enter your address, see what’s on your ballot, read what candidates have to say.
Watch Candidate forums and Meet and Greets with Candidate introductions:
Plan Your Vote
Don’t get caught without transportation, or unable to get off work, not knowing where you have to vote, or running out of time Election Day. Plan how you will vote ahead of time.
- Vote early in person. See dates and hours on the calendar below or on IndianaVoters.com. Take gov’t photo ID.
- Vote absentee by mail. Apply by October 24 and return ballot by November 5 before polls close at 6 pm. Post mark does NOT count. It must be received by 6 pm, Election Day
- Vote in person Election Day, 6 am to 6 pm. Only vote at YOUR precinct. Check www.IndianaVoters.com for your location. Take gov’t photo ID.
|  | Election Calendar
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PLAN YOUR VOTE
Early In-Person Absentee Voting: October 8 - November 4b.See dates/hours. At Eagle Park, 1750 State Road 46 E, Nashville, IN, 47448
Election Day November 5, 6 am-6 pm. Vote in Person at your assigned polling location. Check www.IndianaVoters.com for address or call the County Clerk’s office at 812-988-5510.
Military and Overseas:See additional information, forms, deadlines on http://www.indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments
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Use www.Vote411.org to learn about candidates on your ballot
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Take Government-issued Photo ID to vote in person
Apply for Mail-in Ballot by 10/24 and complete ballot return by 11/5 deadline.Postmark does not count. See hours and voting locations.Click this link for General Election voting locations and times
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ELECTION DAY
6:00am-6:00pm
At YOUR polling place!
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| Upcoming Events of Note
October 17-18: Resilience Productions is presenting a play entitled From Truth to Justice: The Price We Paid for the Ballot at the Monroe County History Center. See the article in this newsletter for more information.
October 19: Community Solar: How to Bring Clean & Affordable Energy to Indiana, 11 am – 12:30 pm, Brown County Library, Room B. RSVP: https://faith-in-place-event-f2v3.glide.page/dl/17171d/m/11f1f6/r/paH1a05YR3mjqIbY6NXKsA (This helps us plan refreshments!)
Community solar provides renters, homeowners, houses of worship, schools, non-profits, and others the option of subscribing to a solar array in their community, resulting in energy cost savings for themselves and providing other benefits for the whole community. Indiana needs state legislation to make this option widely available to all Hoosiers!
Join us and find out: How community solar works; How renters and others can benefit from community solar; Why we do not yet have it available in Indiana; What actions you can take to bring community solar to Indiana! Questions: Contact Christine at christine@faithinplace.org
October 21: Michael Grimm, a representative of Congresswoman Erin Houchin, will be on-site from 1-3 pm in the Salmon Room.
October 24: Join us at the BC Public Library for a debate watch party of the Indiana Debate Commission Gubernatorial Debate. LWVBC and the Brown County Library invite you to a Debate Watch. Let’s get together and play Debate Bingo. What issues should be on the Bingo card? Join us at 6 pm for the 7 pm debate as we live stream on the library’s large tv screen. Refreshments will be provided; bring some to share if you like. Mark your calendar and watch for more information (https://indianadebatecommission.com/news/).
October 26: Second Annual Ready to R.E.A.D. Fundraiser, 9 am – 4 pm, Nashville Village Green. Dedicated to eliminating barriers to provide literacy to ALL. www.ready-to-read.org. For more information, contact Cassie Stratton, President and Lead Literacy Specialist, at 812-994-1223.
February 12, 2025: Mark your calendars for League Day at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis. Join LWVBC and other Leagues across the state for informative workshops, lunch, discussion and meeting with our legislators. If you are interested, let’s carpool. Email browncountylwv@gmail.com if you’d like to join us.
June 6-8, 2025: LWVIN Conventionin Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Details will be provided as plans are set. The Conventions are always fun and informative. There will also be an auction to raise funds for LWVIN so if you have something to donate, please contact us: Email browncountylwv@gmail.com. LWVIN pays LWVBC website fees, Vote411 fees, and an annual grant toward the LWVBC essay contest, so your donations for the auction will be appreciated!
| Welcome to New Members
The League of Women Voters of Brown County welcome new members Dave Seastrom, Becky Stapf, and Michael Evans. We’re so glad you’ve joined us! | Brown County Rising: A Film Series About Individual and Community Well-Being
Learn about Mental Health, Addiction, Dangers of Social Media, the Impact of Childhood Trauma, and How to Help
Where: Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Indiana.
When: Sunday, November 24, 2:00 pm, Wrestling Ghosts
A panel will be available for questions and answers following this final film in the series. Panelists will include mental health professionals as well as community members, leaders, and employees.
Sponsored by the Nashville Methodist Church and the Brown County Centerstone PACES program. The Brown County PACEs Initiative provides broad-based education about the long-term impacts of positive and adverse childhood experiences.
The public is invited to attend all three films at no charge. Families, educators, caregivers and community members can use this material to spark discussions on causes and positive actions to address addictive behavior, mental health issues, childhood trauma and related issues.
The Final Movie in the Series
Wrestling Ghosts
Wrestling Ghosts is a raw, intimate, and heart-opening documentary about parenting, childhood trauma and healing. Wrestling Ghosts follows the epic inner journey of Kim, a young mother who, over two heart-breaking and inspiring years, battles the traumas from her past to create a new present and future for her and her family. In this intimate portrait, Kim shares deeply personal moments that most of us keep secret in shame and invites us into her counseling sessions. With her counselors’ help, Kim opens up to new ways of thinking and uncovers what has blocked her from experiencing the joy and connection she most desires. She learns about the impact of childhood trauma on her brain, and how, tragically, this very damage causes the trauma to be passed on to her own children. Armed with knowledge and compassion, she pursues new strategies to heal herself.
| Recent WFHB Podcast Focuses on Voting and Elections
Source: LWVB-MC October Newsletter
“This podcast features Ralf Shaw of the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County discussing voting in the November general election. Shaw shares the basics of Indiana voting, including absentee and early voting requirements. She also talks about VOTE411.org, which was first launched by the League of Women Voters in 2006. This website is a "one-stop-shop" that provides nonpartisan information to the public for national and state elections.”
| From Truth to Justice is New Play from Resilience Productions
Source: LWVB-MC October newsletter
“On October 17-18 at 6:00 pm and October 19-20 at 3:00 pm, Resilience Productions is presenting a play entitled From Truth to Justice: The Price We Paid for the Ballot at the Monroe County History Center. This original play tells the story of the contentious relationship between the Black and White suffrage movement. It shows how two groups fighting for a common good had differing worldviews, which created a yawning chasm resulting in irreparable damage. This thought-provoking performance will be followed by a reception and talkback, discussing the challenges we faced then and now in accessing the ballot.
“This story is a part of everyone's voting story, and it needs to be told. Resilience Productions kindly invited League members to participate in the follow-up discussion, and we will be doing that at the performance on the 19th. We're looking forward to the play and the discussion and encourage members and anyone else to take this opportunity to learn about this part of our voting history that is still reverberating today.
“Performances sell out quickly. To purchase tickets, go to https://monroehistory.org/; scroll down to October 2024, then click on the From Truth to Justice date you wish to attend, and follow the instructions to purchase your ticket(s), or call the Monroe County History Center at 812-332-2517.”
|  | Report of LWVIN President’s Day: October 5, 2024
Submitted by LWVBC Secretary Pam Raider
LWVBC President Shari Frank and I headed off to another President’s day – the weather was great and the event close to home so no early start. Best of all our own Sunny Leerkamp was to be one of the presenters.
This is always a time to meet and greet with old and new friends. We are getting to know our neighbors quite well – Tracy Heaton de Martinez from Columbus, our new friends in LWV Johnson County and of course Ralf Shaw from Monroe County, both of whom we partner with for candidate and legislative forums. We spent about an hour hearing from the different state league chapters. South Bend is reorganizing leadership structure with a three-person presidential team: past, current and next in line. Greater Lafayette is working the fact that no voting sites on campus. Other issues included tackling gun safety, utility costs, developing a policy on libraries. Indiana now has 23 Chapters around the state that encompass 53% of the voting public.
After Lunch we heard an update from State Treasurer. Tom Gardiner, on what we know of the new payment structure from LWVUS that kicks in on January 31, 2025.
From Greater Lafayette Lexi Dunham and Chelsea Thomas told us about the Threadless Store, online merchandise which all leagues can participate in. They will help design shirts; currently there are 17 designs and when sold we would get part of proceeds if we create our own Threadless website. One I particularly liked was “Voting Prevents Unwanted Presidencies.”
The first workshop entitled “The Supreme Court of Indiana” was led by LWVBC Vice President Sunny Leerkamp. Excellent in-depth presentation encompassing the history of the Indiana Supreme Court as well as some of the more interesting cases. I learned that our State Supreme Court is actually well respected around the nation. I wondered why this would be a topic and then I was reminded that we will vote on whether three justices should be retained this year and this is first vote after the court’s decision upholding Indiana’s near total abortion ban.
The second batch of workshops covered GOTV (which I thought was some new media platform then finally it dawned on me it meant Get Out The Vote.) Barb Tully spoke about the importance of attracting younger people, what issues they care about, and strategies for reaching out to schools, including partnering with the Clerk’s office. We heard from LWV Muncie about the Ball State Partnership with Shaina Miller and how she works with young people using a strategy called Votes and Floats.
Shari and I enjoy going to these educational events. There is always a lot to learn as the League is full of very active informed women. For instance, I learned that Henry County LWV was party to putting up a memorial on Highway 40 to honor victim of an 1875 lynching. Googling lynchings in Indiana we learn that last lynching (official recording) was in Marion Indiana in 1930 – only 17 years before I was born. | Upcoming Government Meetings
Source: http://www.browncounty-in.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14 and https://www.townofnashville.org/calendar-of-events?view=calendar&month=08-2024
Did you know? You can sign up to receive meeting agendas, alerts government job postings and more here. The County Government calendar can be accessed here.
| | Brown County Election Board (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
October 8, 2:00 pm
November 12, 2:00 pm
December 10, 2:00 pm
Brown County Commissioners (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
October 16, 6:00 pm
November 6, 2:00 pm
December 4, 2:00 pm
December 18, 6:00 pm | | Brown County Council (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
October 21, 6:30 pm
November 18, 6:30 pm
December 16, 6:30 pm
Town of Nashville Council
October 17, 6:30 pm
November 21, 6:30 pm
December 19, 6:30 pm | | | October Diversity Calendar
Source: https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2024/
Global Diversity Awareness Month happens in October, and this effort hopes to promote respect for all cultures around the world.
October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, advocating for those with disabilities and for inclusion in the workforce.
Prevention is key and that’s what Breast Cancer Awareness Month hopes everyone knows. As one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, regular breast screenings are the first step toward not only prevention but early treatment of the disease.
October 1 – 4: Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish New Year is a time of both reflection and repentance. It begins the High Holy Days, which will end with Yom Kippur.
October 10: World Mental Health Day. This important day advocates for mental health awareness and education. Mental Illness Awareness Week is celebrated the first week of the month, too.
October 14: Indigenous People’s Day. This day coincides with Columbus Day and honors the indigenous people living in the United States and the violence they have suffered in history.
The First Nations Educational and Cultural Center at Indiana University has many activities planned around Indigenous People’s Day this year. Below is a listing.
In collaboration with the IU School of Public Health, Kelley Undergraduate Office of Access & Community Enhancement, Union Board and IU Student Government:
— Details: Exhibit of Agnes Yellow Bear designs
Date & Time: Oct 14 and 15 from 11 am - 4 pm
Location: IMU Frangipani Room
— Details: Through Our Eyes: A Conversation with Indigenous Curators
Date & TIme: Tuesday, October 15 from 10:30 -11:45 am
Location: Herman B Wells Library, Scholars Commons (East Tower, first floor), 1320 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington IN
Debra Yepa-Pappan (Jemez Pueblo/Korean), Molina Two Bulls-Parker (Oglala Lakota/Northern Cheyenne), and Yatika Starr Fields (Osage/Muscogee Creek/Cherokee) will discuss their experience collaborating with the IUMAA team, describe how they engaged with harmful colonial narratives within the collections, and reflect on the significance of telling their own stories.
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.: Digital exhibition preview and breakfast-style hospitality will be available in the Scholars’ Commons (East Tower, first floor).
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.: Panel conversation in Hazelbaker Hall (Wells Library E159).
The panel conversation will be livestreamed (Zoom link to attend virtually). To attend in person, please register as space is limited. Register to attend in person.
This exhibition event is a result of the “Connecting Collections: Indigenous Identities in Edward Curtis and Joseph Dixon Materials” project, made possible in part by funding from the Library of Congress. The exhibition is supported by the IU Libraries, Archives of Traditional Music, First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, and UITS Advanced Visualization Lab.
October 19: International Pronouns Day. International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people.
| Here’s How to Contact Your State, Federal, Local Legislators
A list is provided below of the legislators who serve Brown County. For contact information on other state representatives and state senators, go to https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. For information about your Congressional Representative, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
For information on your County Representatives and meetings for Boards, County Commissioners and County Council:
| | Brown County Circuit Court Clerk
Pearletta Banks
Phone: 812-988-5510
Brown County Council
Gary Huett (President)
David Redding (Vice-President)
Darren Byrd
Jim Kemp
Joel Kirby
Scott Rudd
Judy Swift-Powdrill
CountyCouncil@browncounty-in.us
| | | LWVBC Meeting Schedule
LWVBC business meetings are held virtually the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 11, 6:00 pm via Zoom. League Members, Friends, and the public are welcome to join the meeting. To participate in the meeting and receive the Zoom link, contact League President Shari Frank at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
The deadline for submission of articles for the November newsletter is 5:00 pm Friday, November 15. The Brown County VOTER is published monthly. Please send your articles and/or suggestions to LWVBC at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
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