Right now, we are living in some uncertain times. The daily news rolling in is affecting our communities and workplaces with worry and many unanswered questions. So, what now? 

One thing we should all remain certain of is the reality that our communities need to heal and rebuild outside of the COVID-19 crisis. The work toward equality and fairness continues. Each of us can remain fierce advocates for issues that matter most to us and adapt to doing so from home.  

Below are a few ways for you, your friends, loved ones and little ones to stay connected to your advocacy and activism from home:  

Fill out the 2020 Census and check if your friends/family have completed theirs 

Census data informs our nation’s most important decisions, including how the federal government spends $900 billion on critical services like building roads, providing for health insurance, and supporting education. Participation in the Census by everybody makes for a healthier democracy. If people are not counted, their communities will receive less representation in government and fewer resources. 

Most households were mailed their 2020 Census questionnaire in March and for the first time ever you have the option to respond online. More information here.

*If you have already submitted your census questionnaire, check-in with five of your friends or family to see if they have as well.  

Register to vote and check if your friends/family are registered 

Indiana has made great steps to strengthen no-excuse voting in the next election on June 2 is as easy as possible. Learn more about voting by mail and your voting rights in Indiana.

*If you are all set, check in with five of your friends or family to see if they are registered or have any questions on their voting rights. 

Write lawmakers 

It is our job to elect our Representatives and Senators, which means it’s also our job to hold them accountable to the issues that matter the most to us. Here are a few ways to do that: 

• Download our Activist Toolkit for all the tools you need to learn about the Indiana General Assembly and write your state lawmakers on key issues. 
• Visit www.aclu.org/action to take action on a wide range of issues facing Congress or other federal elected officials. 

Together we will ensure our lawmakers protect our freedoms and defend our constitutional rights. 

Play ACLU-IN trivia  

Brush up on your knowledge on civil liberties and civil rights by playing trivia with fellow activists, friends, family or little ones!  

To play, just have each player download our game board here and designate one player to download the questions and answers here. Then, set up a time to play via phone or video chat!  

Brush up on your Constitution Knowledge 

We have plenty of resources to educate Hoosiers of all ages about the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, civil rights laws and the Constitution of Indiana. Here are few: 

• True-false pop quiz  
• Multiple choice trivia questions
• Presentation slides on the Constitution
• Download additional resources

Start an activist book club  

Right now, everyone might be sequestered to their houses, but that doesn’t mean fighting for justice is out of the question. Organize a virtual book club by setting up phone calls or video chats with fellow activists to discuss some great books. Here’s a list of suggested reads: 

• Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson  
• The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander  
• Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay 
• Dear America, Jose Antonio Vargas  
• How To Be An Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi 

Other ideas? Email us at volunteer@aclu-in.org  

Add to our virtual vision board  

During these uncertain times, it can be difficult to keep hope alive. In order to recharge and look forward to the fight for justice, we created a virtual vision board to collect all of our wishes, hopes and dreams for the world, America, and Indiana. 

We will collect responses and share on social media, add to our vision board here.

Self-care 

Take some time to unwind and check out the ACLU coloring page below that you can download and print off. Once colored in, post a photo and tag @ACLUIndiana on social media.  

• ‘Dare to Create A More Perfect Union’ coloring page

We'll get through this together!  

Update: The Indiana Election Commission met on March 23 and enacted no-fault absentee voting. A victory for voters in these uncertain times! More on absentee voting and new primary deadlines here.

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.

Due to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, Hoosier voters will likely encounter a variety of barriers to the ballot. These barriers must be addressed upfront by introducing sound, vigorous and responsible government action.

The ACLU of Indiana believes that any voter should be allowed to vote absentee for any reason, and regardless of reason that voter should be able to cast that ballot either in-person or by mail.  That is why we support updating Indiana policies to allow no-excuse absentee voting.

Additionally, the ACLU of Indiana has identified other policy changes that could remove barriers for Hoosier voters during these uncertain times.

1. Indiana should consider extending the absentee ballot application deadline to the November general election. Currently, the ballot request deadline in Indiana is 12 days. Most states are 7 days or less.  

2. Voters should have an opportunity to request an absentee ballot by web portal, email or by phone. Finding a stamp and requesting an absentee ballot before Election Day could be a barrier for many voters.

3. Indiana should extend the deadline for returning an absentee ballot. Our state currently requires ballots to be returned by Election Day. The ACLU of Indiana recommends changing that requirement so that all ballots postmarked before or during Election Day are counted. 

As Indiana works to keep communities safe and strong, during these difficult times, we hope government officials will also do everything they can to ensure every Hoosier has the means to execute their fundamental right to vote.