Early voting season is now in full swing, lasting through Oct. 29.
Voting early is a convenient option for many voters because it helps people avoid long lines, allows more flexibility with more locations and hours, and helps avoid last-minute conflicts that might appear on Election Day.
ETSU Votes, a campus coalition promoting civic engagement, will be active on campus throughout election season by tabling at events, posting on social media and hosting civic engagement events in collaboration with other campus organizations.
Grace Burney, education lead for ETSU Votes, and Sydney Gatewood, registration and marketing lead, said the best way for voters to find their polling location is to search “GoVoteTN” and enter their address.
In Tennessee, voters can cast their ballot at any voting location in their county during the early voting period. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned polling location.
ETSU students who are registered to vote with their campus address can participate in early voting at Old Jonesborough Middle School, Freedom Hall and Johnson City Fire Station No. 8.
Burney and Gatewood said ETSU Votes will host an early voting event Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Borchuk Plaza.
On Oct. 22, Phi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, and ETSU Votes are co-sponsoring an election integrity talk with Washington County Election Administrator Chuck Vest.
Voters must always provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID.
For the midterm elections this year, voters can expect to see federal and statewide races on their ballots, including governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and local offices. The races on each ballot will depend on the voter’s district and local jurisdiction. Burney and Gatewood encourage every voter to review their sample ballot and familiarize themselves with each candidate and proposed amendment before heading to the polls.
According to Burney and Gatewood, voting is important because it allows citizens to directly engage in democracy and shape their communities.
“Every vote and every voice contributes to the collective voice of the public, allowing citizens to determine the issues and priorities that affect them. Voting is a privilege and an important way to hold elected officials accountable,” Burney and Gatewood said.
