Court Open Early Voting in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, Indiana

CONTACT:
Kawana Lloyd, 202-730-7087
Ali Jost, 202-730-7159

Indianapolis, IN--Today, after more than a week of legal struggle between an SEIU-backed coalition of labor and civil rights groups and the Indiana GOP, hundreds of Indiana voters began casting early voting ballots in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond, Indiana.

Today is a good day for our democracy and a great day for the thousands of Lake County voters who can finally vote in their own communities," said SEIU President Andy Stern. "There is a lot at stake in this election for the janitors, home care workers, retired factory workers, and other hard-working residents of East Chicago, Gary and Hammond, and we will not tolerate any political shenanigans that try to prevent them from having the same rights as other Indiana voters to make their voices heard."

As early voting satellite offices open in Gary, East Chicago and Hammond, Indiana, SEIU stepped up its Get Out the Vote efforts--making phone calls, knocking on doors, providing transportation, and airing educational radio spots on where and how to vote early. Since yesterday, hundreds of voters have begun casting ballots at the new polling sites, while SEIU Indiana has received over 300 requests for transportation from elderly and low-income voters.

"This is a community that is hungry for a change and anxious to exercise their rights to decide who will lead our nation," continued Stern. "Long before the Wall Street meltdown, the voters of northwestern Indiana have faced economic crisis, and they know more than anyone how critical this election is to their futures. While they struggle to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, the last thing Lake County voters should face are barriers to casting their votes."

Meanwhile, Indiana courts continue to wrestle with the Republicans' continued attempts to stop the early voting in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond, after two dueling court cases were combined into one. Today, as a result of a motion filed by plaintiffs, Indiana Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins was struck from the case. A new state court judge will now preside over the legal battle waged by the Republicans to halt the ongoing efforts of citizens in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago to vote early in their communities.

"Ever since this Presidential campaign began, we have seen record interest from African American, Latino and other traditionally underrepresented voters who are fed up with the failed policies of the Bush Administration and are hungry for the change and opportunity that a Barack Obama Administration will bring to Washington. Given what is at stake in this Presidential election, we must do everything we can to ensure these voters' voices are heard."

"In northwestern Indiana and around the country, SEIU and our allies will work hard, using legal and public education strategies, to uphold the voting rights laws of this great nation and ensure all American voices are counted on November 4," Stern concluded.

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