INDIANAPOLIS — As the wait continued around the country for election results, it is clear that every vote counts.
But some Hoosiers may not feel that is true after how quickly the Indiana races for governor and president were called. Still, organizers from "Souls to the Polls" are planning to keep Hoosiers engaged for the next election. No matter how big or small.
"Souls to the Polls went well. We transported a few hundred people. Our Goal was to get out the early vote and we can say we participated in the success of the early vote here in Marion County and the surrounding cities," said Dr. Clyde Posley.
As ballots continue to be counted both in Indiana and around the country, data shows a 58% turnout rate from voters in Indianapolis. Posley, who led the Souls to the Polls effort, says despite those numbers, getting Hoosiers to vote in the next election won't be any easier.
"It is difficult to convince millennials, marginalized people that their vote matters," said Posley.
"On election night many Hoosiers were still in line waiting to go inside their polling location when they got a push alert just six minutes after polls closed announcing that Donald Trump had already won Indiana, yet they hadn't cast their ballot. Grassroots organizers say that only makes it more difficult to convince Hoosiers that their vote actually matters.
"That is the kind of chicanery and shenanigans that makes it an uphill climb when trying to get people registered to vote, when people trying to be convinced of the reality that their vote really matters," said Posley.
He and fellow organizer Tracy Boyd are already planning how the group will stay active. Boyd says they won't disappear until the next election. Instead they'll be working to educate Hoosiers on how the election process works and how their vote could be the deciding factor in local races for mayors, sheriffs, city counselors and school boards.
"It's super important because if you don't have something in your community, then that's a city (issue). If you need something that requires funding, it might be state, or it might be federal, and if we tie those pieces together then people may feel more empowered to be involved," Boyd said.