This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 21st, 2022.

Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - your monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB. Today, our topic is gerrymandering.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition - in light of their recent strike against Indiana University.

But first, The Statehouse Roundup

The 2022 Indiana Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old by the time of the next general election.

For Monroe County residents, the former NAPA Auto Parts building at 302 South Walnut Street was selected as the site for early voting.

All residents have the option for early in-person voting until Monday, May 2nd. Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays from April 5th through April 29th. During two Saturdays - April 23rd and April 30th - hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on in-person early voting, visit Monroe County voters dot us or call Election Central at 812-349-2960.

To cast an absentee ballot by mail in the 2022 primary election, you must complete an application by 11:59 p.m. twelve days before May 3rd.

Voters must personally mark their own ballots and sign their name to the completed security envelope and have one of 11 approved reasons to vote by mail. Covid-19 concerns are NOT among the reasons to vote by mail.

Voters can download and complete an application at indianavoters.us or call Monroe County Election Central at 812-349-2690. To pick up an application in-person, you can visit Election Central at 401 West Seventh Street.

***

Indiana House District 62 will be a race to watch during this election cycle. Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens and outgoing Sheriff Brad Swain have announced their candidacy for the Democratic primary. They will face either Dave Hall or Greg Knott - candidates for the Republican primary - in the General Election come November.

The Democratic and Republican challengers will not face off against an incumbent - as former District 62 Representative Jeff Ellington announced last year that he will change his residency to Bloomfield in order to run for the House District 45 seat. According to the Indy Star, the recently-passed redistricting maps show that the once reliably red House District 62 will now become more competitive.

The new maps exclude Martin, Davies and Greene counties while gaining Brown County, more of Monroe County and parts of Jackson County. To learn more about the House District 62 candidates in this year’s primary, visit the League of Women Voters’ voter guide at vote411.org/ballot.

***

Another election of local interest - the Monroe County Sheriff’s race. Current Sheriff Brad Swain has served two terms in office and by Indiana law he is not permitted to run for another term.

Five Democratic candidates have put their names in the hat for the primary, including Steve Hale, Ruben Marte, Angie Purdie, Joani Stalcup and Troy Thomas.

Nathaniel Williamson stands alone as the only Republican challenger. Whoever wins the primary will determine who will face off in the General Election.

To watch a Community Access Television Services forum between the five Democratic candidates, click here.

Feature Reports:

Now it’s time for Civic Conversations - your monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB.

In today’s episode,