NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — U.S. Representative Jim Cooper, the Davidson County Election Commission and the Mayor's Youth Council (MYC) have announced the results for the third year of nonpartisan high school voter registration drives.
Registrations were conducted throughout the month of November at 36 area high schools.
Rep. Cooper's office said the drives increased voter registration by 59% among participating schools. Some schools saw an increase of up to 136% in registrations.
"Registering to vote allows young people to voice their opinions and play a role in the future of our city and country," Rep. Cooper said. "I'm glad that so many of our students are taking this critical step toward improving their communities."
Some students talked about the importance of participating in voter registration. Abby Mendez, a member of MYC and a senior at Hume Fogg Academic High School, said, "It was really fun to run around the halls and scream at fellow seniors to register to vote." Dzifa Dumenyo, Mendez's classmate and fellow MYC member, said, "It was powerful to see everyone out there registered to vote for the next election." Another MYC member and East Nashville Magnet High School student, Kendra Smith, said, "It felt good to actually be of age to register to vote, and by the time the election comes, I will vote."
The deadline for Tennesseans to register to vote in the 2020 primary elections is Monday, February 3. Absentee ballot requests for the primary elections are available now, and should be submitted by February 25. To register online and access the absentee ballot request form, you can head to the Go Vote TN website. Voter registration applications can also be picked up in person at county election commission offices, county clerk's offices, public libraries and register of deeds offices.
