Primary Elections…Why Bother? Here’s Why.

I must begin with an admission, I am 74 and I do not think I have ever voted in primary elections, Big Mistake! Here is why I will vote in this year’s primaries and why you should:

Voting isn’t just something we should do in November. It’s part of how we organize, how we build power, and how we make sure our values actually show up in government. And this year’s Indiana primaries afford us one of those moments where our participation can genuinely shift the landscape.

Primaries don’t get the same attention as November, but they’re where so much of the real action happens. Turnout is lower, the field is wider, and the impact of every single vote is magnified. When we show up, we’re not just filling in bubbles—we’re shaping the direction of the state.

A lot of districts in Indiana are effectively decided in the primary. By the time November rolls around, the choice is already locked in. Waiting until the general election is like showing up to the game in the fourth quarter or in the ninth inning.

There’s also the message our turnout sends. When Indivisible members vote in primaries, candidates and parties notice. They see that Hoosiers care about strong public schools, affordable healthcare, climate resilience, reproductive freedom, fair maps, and a democracy that works for everyone. They see that grassroots energy is real, organized, and paying attention. That matters more than most people realize.

And of course, voting in the primaries is part of defending democracy itself. We’ve all seen how fragile democratic norms can be. We’ve seen how quickly extremism can fill a vacuum when turnout is low. Showing up in the primaries is one of the simplest, strongest ways to push back. It’s a way of saying: we’re here, we’re engaged, and we’re not letting anyone else decide the future for us.

So please join me in voting in the primaries. Make a plan. Bring a friend. Text your group chat. Post your “I Voted” sticker. These small actions ripple outward. They remind people that democracy isn’t something happening far away, it’s something we build together, right here, right now.

These primaries are a chance to shape Indiana’s future in a real, tangible way. Let’s show what grassroots power looks like. Let’s vote in May and let’s do our homework so we know who is running and who deserves our votes.

Photo by Ernie Journeys on Unsplash