September is National Voter Registration Month and state officials are urging Tennesseans to use their social media accounts as a way to encourage others to vote.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, whose office includes the State Election Commission, is encouraging voters to have a picture made holding a sign reading “I’m registered to vote. Are You?” and then share those photos through social media using #GoVoteTN.
The signs are available for downloading and printing through the state’s election website www.GoVoteTN.com. Users can even customize the signs to their own color scheme or choose from several pre-made schemes featuring the colors of a number of Tennessee’s universities and sports teams.
Joining Hargett in posting the photos are a number of other well-known Tennesseans from a variety of professions. Some of those who have posted pictures with their signs are U.S. Senator Bob Corker, members of the Nashville Fire Department, Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, Mike Martin of the Tennessee Titans, and country music stars Billy Ray Cyrus and Kix Brooks.
While the event continues throughout the month of September, a flurry of posts is expected on Tuesday, Sept. 27, to celebrate National Voter Registration Day.
According to Hargett, #GoVoteTN is consistently one of the most successful state-led voter registration social media campaigns in the country.
“We will share posts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to highlight who is proud to be registered to vote, including many well-known Tennesseans,” Hargett said. “Snap a photo, use #GoVoteTN and post. It’s that easy to show the world Tennesseans care about their right to vote.”
Voters must be registered at least 30 days before an election to cast a ballot. Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the registration deadline to vote in the November 8 general election.
“Tennesseans will be heading to the polls to vote for the next president of the United States before we know it,” Hargett said. “It’s crucial that people understand the need to get registered now so there won’t be any surprises in November.”
In addition to getting their sign for the social media campaign, voters can also visit www.GoVoteTN.com to check their registration status, find out what precinct they vote in or download a voter registration form. The form must be filled out and either returned in person or mailed to the Election Commission office for their county of residency.
Residents in Carter County can also pick up voter registration forms at the Carter County Election Commission office, the Department of Safety office, the Department of Human Services office, the Carter County Health Department, the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library and several offices at the Carter County Courthouse.
The Carter County Election Commission is located at 116 Holston Ave. For more information on voter registration, contact the Election Commission at 423-542-1822.