Heart of Indiana United Way has always helped people embrace their power—whether by improving financial stability, advancing education, or supporting health. Voting is another powerful way individuals can shape their future. Ensuring residents have clear, accessible information is essential to that process.
Across Madison County, residents have an important opportunity to make their voices heard this upcoming Primary Election on May 5th. Strong communities are built when people are informed, engaged, and advocate. That belief is what drives our work on the nonpartisan and informative Madison County Voter Guide.
This effort has deep roots locally. The Voter Guide originated with Community Lens of Anderson, a citizen-driven initiative focused on strengthening civic engagement. United Way has been proud to collaborate in that work, helping them expand the guide from a city resource into one that now serves all of Madison County.
The Voter Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource with practical information about when and where to vote, including early voting options and Election Day details. Just as importantly, it provides a comprehensive look at the candidates on the ballot.
We identified federal, state, and local positions, and asked all candidates running for those positions— Republicans and Democrats—to answer the same questions. The questions generated by community members were:
· What strengths and experiences do you bring to this office?
· What are the three key messages of your campaign?
· Federal and State Position Candidates: Many residents believe their vote doesn’t count; what roots do you have in the community, and how will you ensure their voices are heard?
· County Sheriff Candidates: How would you describe the relationship between your community and law enforcement?
To maintain neutrality and transparency, each response is shared exactly as submitted, without trimming or editing. The guide includes links to all candidates’ websites and social media so voters can gather the information they need.
This year’s guide has also been strengthened by the contributions and leadership of Ball State University’s Social Work practicum students Abigail DeSimone and Evan Henderickson who helped research and design the resource to better serve residents. You can listen to the students discuss the process on the Community Lens of Anderson’s podcast Anderson in Focus with Maria Alexander.
At its core, the Madison County Voter Guide is about access—making it easier for people to participate in decisions that affect their daily lives. When voters are informed, communities are stronger, more representative, and better equipped to meet the challenges ahead. Madison County residents can access the Voter Guide and additional resources at heartofindiana.org/advocate.