With Election Day fast approaching in Davidson County, it’s time to get informed about your choices for officials serving at the local level and make a plan to vote.
Early voting has begun and continues through Saturday, July 29, leading up to Election Day on Thursday, Aug. 3. Candidates for Nashville mayor and vice mayor, Metro Council and Metro Council at-large are on the ballot.
Since turnout is typically lower in Metro elections, each vote can hold a significant impact. Participating in early voting carries the added benefit of shorter lines and the option to vote at any of the 12 early voting sites.
“It is both our privilege and responsibility to engage as voters and exercise our collective voice,” said Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations. “Every vote carries the potential to effect real change in our communities.”
As part of the effort to keep the community informed and to make voting easier, Vanderbilt has partnered with TurboVote, a platform that 1) guides users through the voter registration process, 2) allows users to sign up for text and email election reminders, 3) helps users start the absentee or mail-in ballot request process and 4) supports users through the entire voting process. TurboVote keeps track of voter registration, absentee and vote-by-mail rules for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Sign up for election reminders or register to vote here.
Important Dates for Davidson County
- Early voting period – July 14–29
- Election Day – Aug. 3
- Last day to request an absentee ballot – July 27
- Metropolitan run-off election (if necessary) – Sept. 14
In 2020, Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations, in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, launched “Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote,” an initiative aimed at promoting voter engagement and increasing voter registration among faculty, staff and students. “Elections have consequences, and who governs matters,” Green said. “Let your voice be heard by participating in the political process.”
The focus of Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote and Vandy Votes is to encourage every member of the university community—students, staff and faculty—to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to register and vote in elections held in their districts of residence, whether they be at the federal, state or local level.