During National Voter Registration Week, September 23–27, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, UT Libraries, and the Student Government Association will hold voter registration drives on Pedestrian Walkway, the Student Union Plaza, and in Hodges Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On September 24, the Libraries also will host several workshops in Hodges Library, Room 209, including where to find polling locations, early voting vs. election day voting, and what information is required to vote. A representative from the Knox County Election Commission will be at Hodges Library that day to verify identification, which allows students who are registered to vote in other Tennessee counties to request an absentee ballot.
From September 24 until October 7, students may participate in a university-wide voter-registration competition. Students may add to paper chains located in the Hodges Library galleria. At the end of the competition, the college with the most links as a percentage of enrollment will be announced and recognized with a plaque.
On October 9, the chains will be revealed at Rock the Vote, a celebration on the Student Union Plaza. Students can also compete against other universities in Tennessee by posting a photo on social media with #GoVoteTN and #VolsVote and by registering to vote using the online registration portal.
The Libraries will kick off its Voter Registration Support initiative by providing assistance with registration forms and voting information during all Hodges Library open hours.
In 2018, Tennessee ranked 43rd in voter turnout with only 45.7 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot. At UT, National Voter Registration Week is designed to break down barriers to registration and make sure that all Vols are ready to vote.
Important Voter Registration Deadlines:
- Monday, October 7, 2019. Final day to register to vote in November’s city mayoral and city council election
- Monday, February 3, 2020. Final day to register to vote in presidential primaries in Tennessee
- Monday, October 5, 2020. Final day to register to vote in presidential election
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CONTACT:
Katie Cahill (865-974-8681, kcahill3@utk.edu)
Donna Braquet (865-773-8711, dbraquet@utk.edu)