Our IHC Brit Olam Social Justice Team has an updated message and needs all of our help:
Please contact our leaders to ask for “no excuse” absentee voting for the November election.
But first, check your own voter registration at IndianaVoters.IN.gov
In Judaism, the prevention of sickness and the sanctity of the body, both in physical and emotional health, is a central concept. The word for “healthy” in Hebrew is beri’ut (from the root “to create”). A body is merely on loan by God and therefore must be kept virtuous and healthy.
But political participation is also a central tradition. As the sage Hillel maintained, we should not separate ourselves from the community. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism points out, “Moreover, it is our responsibility to play an active role in our community and choosing its leaders. Rabbi Yitzhak taught that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud Berachot 55a). This deeply embedded ethic of political participation has guided Jews to enthusiastically participate in the American electoral process.
Why should there be a contradiction between keeping voters healthy and voting?
Whatever place in the political spectrum you end up on, voting will be critically important in November. Our friends and family are in danger for the presidential election in November. Unless we get “no excuse” absentee voting again for the general election, like we had for the primary, most people under age 65 will have to go to the polls to vote in person no matter how bad the COVID virus is by then.
That decision rests with our Indiana leaders, and they need to be told to act now.
It’s not easy to call or write these emails, we know. But it is important that you call or write Governor Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the Indiana Election Commission to ask for “no excuse” absentee ballots for November.
Here’s a sample letter or telephone call, or make the letter more powerful with your own words.
Dear Governor Holcomb:
Please make the decision to let voters vote with “no excuse” absentee ballots in November now. The Covid-19 virus will still be circulating then, and citizens deserve the chance to vote without risking their health and safety. The time to act is now.
Use these contacts:
Governor Holcomb: 317-232-4567, Office of the Governor. Statehouse. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2797. https://www.in.gov/gov/2752.htm
Secretary of State Lawson: 317-232-6532 constituent@sos.IN.gov
Indiana Election Commission: elections@iec.in.gov