by Chris Sanders

2018 is a great year to register to vote and it is a vital year for the turnout of the LGBTQ community and allies.  You can now register to vote online in Tennessee.  Go to proudvoter.org/tep to register.  You can also use that link to check your voter registration and set reminders for upcoming elections.

We have three elections in Tennessee this year.  The County Primary Election is in May.  The County General and the State and Federal Primary Elections are in August.  Finally the State and Federal General Elections are in November.

What’s on the ballot this year?  In the County Primary and County General Elections, various county offices like register of deeds, court clerks, several judges, sheriff, and so on are up for a vote.  Most counties will also elect members of their county commissions and county mayors.  The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is an exception because the Metro Council is our county commission and that election will be in 2019.  

In the State and Federal Primary, all members of the Tennessee House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives are up for election.  State Senate districts with odd numbers are on the ballot and we have one U.S. Senate seat up for grabs.  Mostly notably Tennessee will elect a new Governor in 2018, as outgoing Governor Bill Haslam is term-limited.

Various cities and counties may also have ballot measures this year.  For example, Nashville will vote on a transit plan in May.

So we need your voice and your vote this year.  Make a plan to get to the polls.

2018 Election Calendar

May 1                 County Primary

August 1             County General and State and Federal Primaries

November 6       State and Federal General

Chris Sanders is Executive Director at the Tennessee Equality Project