FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Fort Wayne Area League of Women Voters, the Fort Wayne Urban League, the Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and community partners will host a nonpartisan voter outreach and listening event on Sunday, August 9, to better understand why some Allen County residents do not participate in elections and to encourage greater civic engagement.
The following was released:
Volunteer teams will depart from the Fort Wayne Urban League at approximately 3 p.m. to visit neighborhoods surrounding the Urban League. Rather than advocating for any candidate or political party, volunteers will provide nonpartisan voting information while listening to residents about the challenges that may prevent them from voting.
The canvass will focus on registered voters who have participated less frequently in recent elections. Volunteers will ask questions about voting experiences, including poll locations, early voting opportunities, Election Day hours, transportation, access to information, and other factors that may influence voter participation.
According to the Allen County Election Board, Allen County has 267,927 registered voters, yet only 14.57% participated in the most recent primary election. Organizers hope this outreach effort will help identify barriers to participation while encouraging greater civic engagement throughout the community.
Statewide, voter participation has also been a concern. As noted in a recent communication from Women4Change Indiana, Kate Hess Pace of Hoosier Action observed that only 17% of eligible Indiana voters participated in the May primary election, meaning the overwhelming majority did not cast a ballot. These trends highlight the importance of understanding why many Hoosiers choose not to participate and how communities can work together to increase civic engagement.
Residents will receive information about trusted, nonpartisan voting resources, including the League of Women Voters’ Vote411.org, where voters can learn about candidates, verify voter information, and access election information. Volunteers will also provide information how residents can check or update their voter registration.
The information collected during the canvass will be compiled and shared with participating national organizations to help evaluate community outreach efforts and better understand barriers to voter participation. The findings will also help determine whether this initiative contributed to increased civic engagement.
This is a strictly nonpartisan civic engagement event. No candidates, campaign staff, or political party representatives will participate in the canvassing activities.
What: Nonpartisan Community Voter Outreach & Listening Canvass
When: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: Volunteers gather at 2:30 p.m. and depart at 3 p.m. Volunteers will return to the Urban League by 5 p.m.
Where: Fort Wayne Urban League
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