My Indiana Statehouse Internship Takeaway: I must vote. So must you.
My Indiana Statehouse Internship Takeaway: I must vote. So must you.
By: Marissa A. McKinney, Legislative Intern -Women4Change Indiana Voices
Marissa McKinney, Legislative Intern, Women4Change Indiana
During the 2023 legislative session, I had the opportunity to intern for Indiana’s House Democrats. I was a legislative and constituent services intern, having worked for three legislators. I have a bachelor’s degree in political science, so I was familiar with the legislative process in Indiana, but nothing prepares you for what it is actually like working in Indiana’s statehouse. That experience is something I will never forget and solidified just how important voting is, and how consequential it is when Hoosiers don’t vote.
During my time as an intern, I saw bills come through that I did not support, and which faced a wide range of opposition from all sides of the aisle, and that part I expected. What I didn’t expect was the extent to which some legislators’ double-downed on their opinions and beliefs and refused to take into consideration the evidence and experiences of their constituents.
Bottomline: If we want people in office who listen to and represent us, we MUST show up at the polls to elect them. When we don’t choose OUR legislators, we’re allowing them to pick and choose who they show up for and isn’t usually us.
In 2023, I saw a book banning bills, handgun training for teachers, and the prohibition of gender transition procedure for minors; each of these bills brought hundreds of people to the statehouse, to protest and testify in opposition to these bills. This showed not only how important it is to vote, and make your voices heard, but also served as reminder that the statehouse is YOUR house. You can go at any time during operating hours, even if you do not have a bill you want to be supporting/opposing, you can just go to see the building. The statehouse is always open to the public and always has been.
It is OUR house, and we get to decide the keepers of that house and the direction of our state when we vote, but democracy only works when we do.
The way I see it, when policies make a negative impact in Indiana communities, we have two civic duties:
1. Vote. 2. Use our voices.
Hoosiers, keep track of the bills going through the legislature, voice your opinions in an email, letter, or phone call, or you can take the step and go to the statehouse. Your legislators are easy to contact;: Find your district, look up their names and you will find their contact information. Through their webpages, you can also find the bills they have introduced that session, and you can email them in support or opposition.
Legislators want to hear from you, they want to know what you think, and if you support the bills they are attempting to pass, let them know!
To find your legislator follow this link: https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators
Don’t forget to vote and to use your voice. Pass it on.
-Marissa McKinney, Women4Change Indiana
Women4Change Voices represents a wide variety of perspectives, personal experiences, and the respective areas of expertise, among staff, interns, board, supporters, communities, and Indiana, at-large.
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