1 Produced by the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division August 2008

2 I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. - Bob Dylan

3 WHO can register to vote? U.S. citizen 18 years old by the date of the next election Resident of Tennessee –A place where you live to which you definitely intend to return –You can only have one residence –Homeless persons can register to vote but must provide information regarding location of habitation Must not have been convicted of a felony –Under certain circumstances you can regain your right –Visit the State Election Commission’s website at

4 WHAT if I am not a resident of Tennessee? Register in your home state Vote by absentee ballot Contact your home county’s election commission

5 WHAT if I register in Tennessee but am not living there when election day comes? Vote by absentee ballot Contact your home county’s election commission

6 WHAT am I voting for? Depends on Election U.S. President/Vice President U.S. Congress State Legislature Local Issues

7 WHAT does a ballot look like? Each ballot is different, depending on what you’re voting for, but this is a sample ballot from the 2004 presidential election

8 HOW do I register to vote? In person: –County Election Commission –TN Department of Safety (Motor Vehicle Division) –TN Department of Health (WIC program) –TN Department of Human Services –TN Department of Mental Health –TN Department of Veterans’ Affairs –Public Libraries –County Clerk’s Office –Register of Deeds’ Office By mail: –County Election Commission Office –Post Office File a voter registration form with your local county election commission

9 WHO should I contact with questions about registering in my county? Contact your county’s election commission To find your county’s election commission, visit the State Election Commission at

10 WHEN do I have to register? In order to participate in an election, a qualified voter must be properly registered no later than thirty (30) days before the election. –Deadline for November 4, 2008 election: October 6, 2008 The election commission office will process any by- mail voter registration form that has been postmarked at least thirty (30) days before the election –In other words, get it in the mail by October 6, 2008.

11 WHEN do I vote? Primary elections: February 5, 2008 General elections: November 4, 2008 Absentee ballots: Must be delivered by postal mail and received no later than the close of polls on election day Early voting: October 15 – October 30, 2008

12 WHY should I vote? Because it’s your future Because it’s your right –1870: The 15 th Amendment to U.S. Constitution allowed racial and ethnic minorities to vote –1920: The 19 th Amendment to U.S. Constitution allowed women to vote Because it only takes a few minutes –Go on election day –Go early for early voting (check with your election commission for early voting dates and centers) Because your vote can have a tremendous impact

13 The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour Japanese Proverb

14 WHAT am I voting for? Issues in the 2008 election –Economy/Taxes –Education –Environment –Health Care –Immigration –Jobs –War/Terrorism What issues are important to YOU?

15 WHY is my vote important? George W. Bush v. Albert C. Gore Election 2000 Closest vote in modern history

16 Close votes In New Mexico, Gore won by just 366 votes Bush Gore Other Candidates

17 More close votes In Florida, Bush won by just 537 votes Gore (48.84%) Bush (48.85%) Nader Other It took WEEKS to count such a close vote

18 Election 2000 Timeline November 7, 2000 – Election Night –7:50 p.m. News stations declare GORE the winner in Florida –2:30 a.m. News stations declare BUSH the winner in Florida –4:30 a.m. News stations declare presidential race TOO CLOSE TO CALL November 8 – December 12, 2000 –Hundreds of thousands of votes are recounted by hand. Both sides file lawsuits. No one knows who our next president will be! December 12, 2000 – U.S. Supreme Court decides –George Bush becomes the 43 rd President of the United States

19 The Lesson? EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!

20 The margin is narrow, but the responsibility is clear. -John F. Kennedy

21 WHO am I voting for? Barack Hussein Obama (Democratic)Barack Hussein Obama Cynthia Ann McKinney (Green Party, Peace and Freedom)Cynthia Ann McKinney Ralph Nader (Independent, Natural Law Party)Ralph Nader Robert Laurence 'Bob' Barr (Libertarian)Robert Laurence 'Bob' Barr John Sidney McCain (Republican)John Sidney McCain Charles O. 'Chuck' Baldwin (U.S. Taxpayers/Constitution Party)Charles O. 'Chuck' Baldwin 2008 U.S. Presidential Candidates** ** in alphabetical order, announced candidates as of 8/12/08

22 Become Informed! The Democratic Party Green Party of the United States Independent American Party The Libertarian Party The Republican Party U.S. Taxpayers/Constitution Party Find links to additional party organizations at: Visit Party Websites:

23 Become Informed! Project Vote Smart SelectSmart.com 2decide.com The Washington Post Visit Independent Websites and Compare Candidates: Local newspapers and television stations have information on candidates in national, state, and local elections

Become Informed! Want to learn more? Check out the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s voter awareness webpage at for information about: Presidential debate dates Electoral College information 24

25 So long as I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to vote I do not possess myself. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Do Your Part!