Tennessee Primary’s Low Voter Turnout Sparks Worries About Civic Engagement

Tennessee’s recent primary election saw a shockingly low 13.9% voter turnout, raising alarm bells about the state of democracy in the Volunteer State.

At a Glance

Tennessee ranks last in U.S. voter turnout, with only 31% of eligible voters participating in 2022
The state disenfranchises nearly 500,000 people due to felony convictions
Over 50% of state legislature races in the 2022 midterms had only one candidate
Tennessee’s voter registration rate of 79.9% is lower than the national average of 84.4%
Low turnout allows candidates to win with relatively few votes

Tennessee’s Voting Dilemma

Tennessee’s recent primary election has highlighted a concerning trend in the state’s democratic process. With only 13.9% of registered voters casting ballots, the turnout marked a significant drop from 24.5% in 2020 and even fell below the 14.1% seen in 2016. This decline in civic participation has experts and officials worried about the health of democracy in the state.

The low turnout is not an isolated incident. Tennessee has consistently ranked among the lowest in voter participation nationwide. In 2022, the state hit rock bottom, ranking last in the U.S. with only 31% of eligible voters participating in the midterm elections. This persistent issue raises questions about the factors contributing to such widespread voter apathy.

Barriers to Voting

Several structural issues contribute to Tennessee’s low voter turnout. The state has some of the highest barriers to voting in the country, including strict voter ID laws and limited early voting options. Additionally, Tennessee disenfranchises nearly 500,000 people due to felony convictions, a number significant enough to potentially swing any election.

“Tennessee disenfranchises almost 500,000 people. That’s enough to swing any election,” said Rep. Vincent Dixie (D-Davidson County), who sits on the board of Organize Tennessee, an organization that helps ensure Tennesseans can utilize their right to vote.

The process for restoring voting rights for felons in Tennessee is notoriously complex, requiring both a pardon or court order and a certificate of restoration. This two-step process, unique to Tennessee, includes paying off legal financial obligations and child support, creating additional hurdles for those seeking to regain their voting rights.

Lack of Competitive Races

Another significant factor contributing to low voter turnout is the lack of competitive races. In the 2022 midterms, over 50% of state legislature races had only one candidate. Districts are often drawn to favor one party, discouraging competition and leaving voters feeling their votes don’t matter.

“There’s multiple factors kind of broken into two buckets. One is sort of this individual story of people not feeling like it’s worth their time. They’re not seeing candidates or issues that reflect them and that are interesting to them. And so they’re not inspired to go to the polls and participate,” said Dawn Schluckebier, the Advocacy and Government Relations Director at Think Tennessee.

This lack of competition has led to some alarming statistics. In the recent primary, only 19.6% of races were competitive, with 63.2% featuring just one candidate and 17.2% having no candidate at all. Such a political landscape can breed voter apathy and contribute to the ongoing cycle of low turnout.

Consequences of Low Turnout

The implications of such low voter participation are significant. With fewer voters deciding the outcomes, candidates can secure nominations and win elections with relatively small numbers of votes. For instance, in the recent primary, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles secured his nomination with just 32,047 votes, a fraction of the eligible voting population.

“I think it’s a catastrophe for democracy,” said Lisa Quigley, the veteran Nashville politico and longtime chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper. “It’s a total collapse of citizen engagement.”

This low engagement allows a small portion of the population to wield disproportionate influence over the state’s political direction, potentially leading to policies that don’t reflect the will of the broader population.

Looking Ahead

While the situation seems dire, there are glimmers of hope. The upcoming November ballot will include candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties facing off for 62.6% of Tennessee Legislature seats, up from just 37.9% competitive races in 2022. This increase in competitive races could potentially drive higher voter engagement.

However, addressing Tennessee’s voter turnout problem will require a multifaceted approach. This may include revisiting voting laws, improving voter education, and working to create more competitive districts. Only through concerted efforts can Tennessee hope to reverse this trend and ensure a more robust democratic process for all its citizens.