Standing Up for Voter Access in Monroe County, Indiana

The right to vote is fundamental to a healthy democracy and election administration decisions directly impact how and whether eligible voters can participate. On October 24, 2025, director of the Midwest Voting Rights Program, Ami Gandhi, sent a letter to the Monroe County Council in Indiana urging them to strengthen voter access ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and thanking Monroe County Election Board and Monroe County Clerk’s office for their service.  

Our Midwest Voting Rights Program works to reduce barriers to voting and civic participation and a major component of our work is Election Protection, which operates the nonpartisan 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. We have heard directly from thousands of voters in Illinois and Indiana who have faced challenges while trying to vote or register to vote. Questions from voters include confusion about registration status, long lines at polling places, accessibility issues, voter intimidation, and questions about absentee ballots.  

In recent elections, Monroe County voters in Indiana have reported these issues and other barriers that can make it difficult or not possible for eligible voters, especially including voters of color, students, and voters with disabilities, to exercise their right to vote.  

When local governments fail to allocate enough resources for polling places, reduce early voting options, or decrease staff, this can lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters, particularly voters from marginalized communities. Providing sufficient resources can make the difference whether an eligible voter casts a ballot or not.  

For many years, voters have expressed growing concern over voter access in Monroe County and with new laws in Indiana such the new student ID ban, new documentary proof of citizenship laws, and fear of intimidation at polling sites, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee and our partners are deeply concerned about the disenfranchisement and additional barriers voters could face in 2026. 

Now is the time to invest in our communities, strengthen our election systems, and improve voter access. We encourage Monroe County leaders to strengthen voting conditions to ensure all eligible voters who want to participate in our democracy can do so.   

Read the full letter here.