I Was Fighting Against Cruel and Harmful Policies 10 Years Ago, I’ll Be Fighting Against Them 10 Years From Now
I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to standing up against harmful policies. From organizing against the cruel treatment of immigrants in the United States, to supporting friends and neighbors access the ballot, and protecting our right to vote.
The government’s unrelenting attacks at both the local and national level are coordinated, measured and precise which is why our response must be too.
❌ Access to the Ballot and Voter Suppression
Last week, The Marion County Democratic Party (County Party), chaired by Myla Eldridge, Filed 100+ Challenges against would-be candidates (running for precinct committee chairs, aka neighborhood captains and Indiana State Convention Delegates) with the Marion County Election Board (Election Board).
The election board scheduled a public meeting in a way that gave people roughly three business days to prepare a response. This approach is not only disappointing, it is also undemocratic.
⬇ This is why we keep ranking at the bottom for voter engagement and voter turnout — and also one of the reasons why I’m running for Marion County Clerk🙋🏻♀️
Marion County consistently ranks at the BOTTOM for voter engagement and voter turnout, consistently under the leadership of people like Kate Sweeney Bell, who previously served as County Chair and currently serves as County Clerk (responsible for overseeing county-wide elections, and who is also part of the three-person board adjudicating candidate challenges during the next Election Board meeting).
We are seeing an unprecedented surge of energy and engagement in local government. Instead of welcoming people, the old guard is once again choosing to create barriers, reinforcing an atmosphere of exclusion and confusion, alienating new voices and ideas from the Democratic process.
MirrorIndy: Dozens of Democratic candidates face challenges from party leader
🙏🏼To Destiny Wells and Nicky Mendenhall, two of the attorneys who stepped up to provide legal help and guidance to those being challenged, thank you. And to the people publicly taking on the system, thank you. I am grateful for you.
Public Meeting Details:
🗓️ Friday, February 20, 2026 | ⏰ 10:00 a.m.EST |📍 City/County Building – Public Assembly Room; 200 E. Washington St. Indianapolis IN 46204
I will provide an update on the outcome of the Public Meeting in the next post. Thank you.
🚨 Stop the attack on early voting: House Bill 1359
On Monday February 16, Indiana lawmakers quietly added an amendment into House Bill 1359 “Scanning Ballots.”
If passed with the amended language, this bill would reduce the number of early voting days from 28 days to 16 days.
Echoing Sen. Qaddoura’s concerns, this bill would limit access to the ballot, reduce voter participation, and further tank voter turnout not just in Marion County, but the state of Indiana.
“At a time when early voting sites are seeing long lines and record turnout, reducing access is a step in the wrong direction. We should be expanding access to the ballot box, not restricting it.”
-Sen. Fady Qaddoura of HB 1359: Scanning Ballots
WFYI: Lawmakers quietly advance plan to reduce early voting days
House Bill 1359 now heads to the full State Senate, where Indiana State Senators will hear and vote on the bill.
📞 Contact your elected official and urge them to vote NO on HB1359 as amended, and stop the attack on early voting!
You can contact your senator by calling (317) 232-9400.
📝 Sample Script Provided by the ACLU of Indiana:
“I am writing to urge you to vote no on House Bill 1359 as amended.
I’m asking you to oppose HB 1359 due to the amendment that would cut Indiana’s early voting period nearly in half.
No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, everyone should be able to agree that democracy works best when more people vote.
Indiana has consistently ranked among the lowest states when it comes to voter turnout, and reducing the number of days that Hoosiers have to vote early could make that even worse.
I’m also concerned about the fact that the amendment was added without any testimony from the public. When lawmakers are considering these important decisions, Hoosiers should have an opportunity to make their voices heard.
Again, I am respectfully asking you to vote against this bill due to the early voting amendment. Thank you for your consideration.”
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
It’s easy to feel like one vote doesn’t matter, but if that was the case:
Would Indiana Republicans be working overtime to shorten the time we have available to vote⁉
Would this Presidential administration be trying to “Nationalize,” “Take Over Elections” and enact one of the most restrictive voting laws, if that was the case⁉
The relentless attacks on our our constitutional rights and civil liberties, including our rights to free and fair elections, are far from over.
🏃🏻♀️ This is yet another reason why I’m running for Marion County Clerk
In Marion County, the Clerk’s Office oversees countywide elections and supports voter registration. As such, this office has a direct role in equipping people with information and tools to empower voters. These democratic institutions are under attack and we must fight back.
🗳️🙋🏻♀️ Help Me Reverse Our Historic Low Voter Turnout!
As an attorney, a public servant and community advocate I’m prepared to take on this role: knock down barriers and work to reverse Marion County’s historic low voter turnout once and for all. Together, I believe that we can make local government more accessible, predictable and transparent for all.
✅ Save the Dates!
Virtual Volunteer Call Out: Please join us for our next Virtual Volunteer Call Out! 🗓️ Sat., Feb., 21 | ⏰ 10:30–11:30AM EST |📍 Virtual Event!
This is our last chance to receive in-depth training before we kick off canvassing later this month. Everyone is welcome to attend! Link to virtual event will be provided.
Check out our Mobilize Page for more for more Karla López Owens for Marion County Clerk of Court events!
📋🗳️ Defend Democracy: Register to Vote!
Registering to vote and participating in the upcoming elections is one of the easiest ways to assert the full measure of your citizenship and your constitutional rights. Check out this video which highlights Indiana voting qualifications!
Don’t know if you’re registered or not? Check your status by going to indianavoters.in.gov. In Indiana, you are eligible to vote if you:
✅ Are a U.S. Citizen,
✅ Are a Resident of Indiana,
✅ Are at Least 18 Years Old, on or Before the Next General Election,
✅ You Are Not Currently in Prison After Having Been Convicted of a Crime, and
✅ You Will Have Lived in the Precinct Where You Vote at Least 30 Days Before The Election.
Turning things around starts from the ground up
This is why we need people like you and me to jump in! Important dates:
🗓️ Monday, April 6, 2026: Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election.
5️⃣🌵🍹💃🏻 Tuesday, May 5, 2026: Primary Election Date aka Cinco de Mayo! 🥳
Need help? We will help you! You can send me a message at karla@klo4change.com.
Thank you, and see you soon!
-Karla