Attorney General Todd Rokita provides guidance to religious leaders and churches on how to participate in the election season
Attorney General Todd Rokita provides guidance to religious leaders and churches on how to participate in the election season
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
In the midst of the election season, Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today that his office has offered guidance to religious leaders and churches in Indiana about how they can legally participate in activities available to all Americans.
“Since its founding, churches have played a vital and indispensable role in our nation’s political and civic life,” Attorney General Rokita said. “There is no federal law that precludes religious leaders from speaking about voter education in a non-partisan way or for the organizations they lead to host or conduct related activities.”
In the guidance letter, Attorney General Rokita states that churches are protected by the First Amendment in various ways and are not shut out from participating in the electoral process. Non-partisan voter education and registration efforts, inviting candidates to speak before their congregations, and taking a stand on public policy issues that matter to the church and its members are all activities they can engage in without losing its tax-exempt status.
However, Attorney General Rokita also states that nonprofits, including churches, must not participate or intervene in any particular political campaign, which includes publishing or distributing statements on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
“Religious leaders can and should consider playing a role in contributing to our democratic process,” Attorney General Rokita said. “It’s the rock on which our Republic is built. I want to make sure they understand what kinds of election-related conduct is and isn’t legal, so they can lead with confidence and so churches as a whole can be more effective for the communities they serve.
Attorney General Rokita’s office oversees consumer complaints against nonprofits and entities across the state. Hoosiers can file consumer complaints here if they believe a nonprofit organization is violating state law.
Ensuring You’re Prepared to Vote
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Observing Patriot Day This week we pause to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks and all the bravery displayed that day. May we never forget those we lost, and let us be forever grateful for the first responders who answered the call to serve their fellow Americans. |
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University of Evansville to Host Indiana Court of Appeals’ “Appeals on Wheels” for Constitution Day 2024
University of Evansville to Host Indiana Court of Appeals’ “Appeals on Wheels” for Constitution Day 2024
SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
EVANSVILLE, IND. (09/10/2024) The University of Evansville (UE) will host the Indiana Court of Appeals’ civics education program, Appeals on Wheels, on September 17, 2024, as part of the university’s observance of Constitution Day. The event will be held in Eykamp Hall and will feature a live oral argument for the case Young v. State 23A-CR-2544, providing the public and students with a unique opportunity to witness the judicial process firsthand.
Appeals on Wheels is an award-winning program designed to bring real, live oral arguments to communities across Indiana, helping citizens better understand the judiciary’s role in state government. The event will include a Q&A session following the oral arguments, allowing attendees to engage with the judges.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for our students and the public to observe the judiciary in action,” said Dr. Robert Dion, professor of political science at UE. “This live oral argument not only provides a firsthand look at the legal process but also underscores the importance of civic engagement and understanding the vital role of the courts in our democracy.”
Both Dr. Dion and Dr. Kevin Gray, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice are sponsoring the event.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Note to media: Reporters, including student journalists, may ask the Court’s permission to record the argument with still or video cameras. Requests should be sent at least 48 hours in advance of the oral argument to Court Administrator Larry Morris at CourtOfAppeals@courts.in.gov.
The following rules will apply:
- All cameras must be tripod-mounted, and the operators must remain in place throughout the hearing.
- Camera movement is limited to the judges and the arguing attorneys.
- No audience shots allowed.
- No flash, strobes, or other distracting lights or sounds are permitted.
- Video cameras and tape recorders cannot be used during the Q/A period that follows oral argument.
Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Historical Talk on September 17th
Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Historical Talk on September 17th
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
Step back in time and uncover a hidden chapter of Evansville’s past at Willard Public Library! In collaboration with the Southwestern Indiana Historical Society, we are excited to co-host a captivating presentation by historian Randy Mills. Dive into the story behind “The Real Violence at Evansville: T
he Firing of Professor George F. Parker”, a riveting look at how the Red Scare affected higher education, even in our community. Discover how this pivotal moment in history shaped Evansville College and challenged academic freedom during the Cold War.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Browning GalleryRandy Mills will present “The Real Violence at Evansville: The Firing of Professor George F. Parker”. This thought-provoking talk will delve into the firing of Professor Parker during the Cold War-era Red Scare, a time when academic freedom was under attack. Learn how Parker, an Evansville College professor, became one of the first casualties of this political purge, and the impact it had on the community and beyond.
Mark your calendars! This is part of the Southwestern Indiana Historical Society’s (SWIHS) monthly series, held every 3rd Tuesday from September to November and February to May.
Join the IAC Team!
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Intern with Indiana House Republicans
| Intern with Indiana House Republicans BY WENDY MCNAMARA | |||||
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Applications to intern with Indiana House Republicans for the 2025 legislative session are now open to college students and recent graduates of all majors.
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This spring semester internship with the Indiana House of Representatives spans January through April and gives students the opportunity to earn $900 biweekly working full time, Monday through Friday at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Students of all majors are encouraged to apply by the Oct. 31 deadline. Benefits include career and professional development assistance, enrollment access to an Indiana government class, opportunities to earn academic credits through their college or university, and free parking. Interns are also eligible to apply for a competitive $3,000 scholarship to use toward undergraduate and graduate expenses.
[Visit IndianaHouseRepublicans.com/Internship to apply.] Interns work in various departments related to their studies, including legislative operations, policy and communications. |
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Governor Holcomb Issues Proclamation for Forensic Science Week, September 15-21, 2024
National Forensic Science Week brings recognition to the role that proper forensic science plays in the investigation of crimes throughout the nation, from exonerating the innocent to identifying the guilty.
For more information about National Forensic Week, visit: http://www.forensicscienceweek.org/
For information about the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and the services they provide, visit: http://www.in.gov/isp/labs/
Below are some interesting stats from the past year (2023):
- There were 24,399 new cases submitted for analysis at the four Indiana State Police laboratories
- Crime Scene Investigators responded to 1,020 different crime scenes throughout the state
- Polygraph Examiners conducted 761 polygraph tests
- Digital Forensic Unit completed 633 cases
- In 2023, there were 698 cases in Indiana linked to a potential suspect by a CODIS DNA match
There are four Indiana State Police laboratory facilities statewide and for additional information, please contact the Public Information Officer (PIO) listed adjacent to the named laboratory location:
- Lowell Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Glen Fifield at gfifield@isp.in.gov
- Fort Wayne Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Brian Walker at bwalker@isp.in.gov
- Evansville Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. Todd Ringle at tringle@isp.in.gov
- Indianapolis Laboratory PIO contact is Sgt. John Perrine at jperrine@isp.in.gov or Captain Ron Galaviz at rgalaviz@isp.in.gov