Indiana matters.
Of course, the Hoosier state always matters to the nation’s vitality. Workers here make products that Americans use, grow food that Americans eat, and produce steel that reinforces American buildings. Indiana natives have made Americans dance (Michael Jackson, John Mellencamp), laugh (David Letterman, Jim Davis), think (Eugene Debs, Kurt Vonnegut), and hope (Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Max Ehrmann).
On Tuesday, Americans will turn to Indiana to narrow the field of candidates to be the next president. Those Oval Office hopefuls need us in those voting booths; they want us in those voting booths, to twist an old Jack Nicholson movie quote. This pivotal role in the presidential primary process is rare for Indiana. Typically, the Republican and Democratic nominees have already been identified through voting in states with early primaries and caucuses by the time Indiana takes its turn in May.
This year differs. Hoosiers can either help Donald Trump all but clinch the GOP nomination, or they can deal his controversial candidacy a stunning blow. The ex-reality TV star entered week-long campaigning in Indiana with some momentum from victories in five states last Tuesday, but faces a peculiar situation here.
Many Republicans are wary of putting Trump atop their ticket this fall against likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, whose base of support extends to more demographic groups than Trump’s core. Many conservatives are not convinced Trump believes in their values. Thus, Hoosiers are experiencing the Trump backlash like voters in no other state, as the primary season finish line looms. His Republican rivals have cut a deal to consolidate their supporters, in hopes they outnumber those of Trump. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is bypassing campaigning in Indiana to give Texas Sen. Ted Cruz a shot at winning Indiana. In return, Cruz is yielding in New Mexico and Oregon, where Kasich could pull an upset on Trump.
Will it work? Only Indiana knows. If Hoosiers reject Trump in favor of Cruz, just as Midwestern neighbor Wisconsin did, Republicans could be headed for their first contested convention in decades. If Trump lacks the necessary 1,237 bound delegates on the first ballot at the convention in July at Cleveland, other candidates could rise to the top on second, third or fourth ballots when the delegates can vote their conscience.
Cruz is not the only alternative to Trump, though. Kasich, the most pragmatic and seasoned Republican running, is well-liked here, and a principled voter should feel comfortable voting for him, regardless of the agreement with Cruz.
Democrats face an intriguing choice, too. While former Secretary of State Clinton holds a significant lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, his populist campaign has passionate backers in Indiana. They want to be heard, even if their man is not the nominee.
And there’s more. Voters will also choose Republican or Democratic nominees for the U.S. Senate and House, the Indiana Senate and House, Statehouse offices, and county government seats. The rest of America may not pay a bit of attention to those races, but they will affect Hoosiers as much, or more so, as the race for the presidency.
For a registered voter, sitting this primary out should not be an option. Today, voters should plan the time and place to cast their ballot. Then, on Tuesday, they should follow through.