Make a statement by voting like never before and ensuring every vote counts | Opinion
Join together to ensure that our public officials take every required step to ensure the openness and integrity of these election results.
- Vonda McDaniel is president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle TN.
No matter who we are, what color our skin, or what ZIP code we live in, most Tennesseans agree that our democracy only works when every person gets a vote and every vote is counted.
We have come a long way in this nation, fighting to have voting rights extended to all and ensuring that they can be exercised without fear of intimidation, harassment, or threats.
But now, Donald Trump is stoking fear and sowing doubt in our time-tested democratic process. He wants to divide us in order to depress voting turnout and generate doubt about the results.
Let us be clear — getting us to doubt our democracy can only be the actions of someone who is trying to undermine our democracy. Trump knows he is losing, and is doing everything he can to undermine results that demand a change in leadership.
But we will not be intimidated! We will join together across race, income, and ZIP code to vote in record numbers, ensure every vote is counted, and swear in a government elected by and for the people.
The United States has always held elections and upheld the results, even in times of great crisis. We held successful presidential elections amid the Civil War, the Great Depression, and both World Wars.
Now it's our turn to prove that nothing – not even this pandemic – will stand in the way of our democratic commitment to voting and fair elections.
On Nov.. 3 and afterwards, we must join together to ensure that every vote is counted!
This means joining together in whatever way is necessary to ensure that our public officials take every required step to ensure the openness and integrity of these election results.
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Whether this means volunteering to work the polls, reporting any observed interferences, or taking to the streets to protest questionable practices at higher levels, we must commit to doing whatever it takes to ensure the integrity of these elections and the offices they will impact.
Most importantly, we call on everyone to get out and vote this election season. If you would like to vote by mail, contact your local election commission to request an absentee ballot.
The last day to request one is Tuesday, Oct. 27, but we encourage you to put in your request as soon as possible.
Early voting opens statewide on October 14th and lasts through October 29. And election day is, of course, Nov. 3.
For the good of our democracy and our nation, make sure to do your part by stepping up to vote!
Vonda McDaniel is president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle TN.
Voter information
Early voting for the 2020 election is ongoing.
Check your voter registration status at vote.usatoday.com.
Go to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office to find your county election commission and request a mail-in ballot.
- Tel: (877) 850-4959
- Email: tennessee.elections@tn.gov
- Website: govotetn.com
How to track your absentee/mail-in ballot: tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup
Key dates:
- Oct. 14-Oct. 29: Early voting
- Oct. 27: Deadline to request absentee/mail-in ballot
- Nov. 3: Election Day
