You’re not crazy. Voting in Indiana is intimidating. – Poynter

You’re not crazy. Voting in Indiana is intimidating.  Poynter

Tips to combat voter confusion at the polls in Indianapolis This column is part of the Indianapolis Public Editor project, a pilot program designed to test whether the presence of a public editor who analyzes local coverage can elevate audience trust in journalism and promote media literacy. Voting in Indiana is not an easy process. Doing your civic duty requires optimism and nimbleness. There’s very little state voter education, and registration deadlines fall almost a month before the November 3rd election. We have one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country because most races are not competitive. And, with a supermajority in the state legislature, many think their votes don’t matter.

Hoosiers’ hesitation is understandable when you consider the research required to articulate your political wishes. But, you shouldn’t feel guilty, stupid or uneducated because the task seems daunting. Voting can be confusing, intimidating and overwhelming. It’s not surprising that so many people who are registered give up before they cast their ballot. The journalists in Indy newsrooms know voters in our state are not engaged. And every newsroom has a different approach to help residents feel more confident about voting. But some legwork is still up to voters. Here’s what the local press does to help voters navigate midterm elections. At this point in the election season,