Leaders vote.
And we need Memphis to prove that.
In May of this year, only about 16% of registered Shelby County voters showed up for the county primary. Then August came, and turnout grew to about 23%.
Only one out Six in May.
Only one out of Four in August.
We need more voting. We need everyone's voice.
Leaders not only show up to vote, they encourage others to vote as well.
When Memphis Shows Up
We know what it looks like when Memphians decide their voice matters.
We’ve seen it throughout our history. In 1916, Robert Church Jr. started the Lincoln League here and registered 10,000 voters in a matter of months, even paying poll taxes so people could cast a ballot. In 1991, Willie Herenton became our first elected Black mayor in the closest mayoral race in city history, decided by just 142 votes. Every one of them counted. In the 2018 midterm, more than half of registered voters in Shelby County cast a ballot.
Memphis knows how to show up. We just have to keep doing it.
Why November Matters
The next stop is the midterm, and there’s a lot on the ballot. We’re voting for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, and the state legislature. There are three constitutional amendments, and if you live in Memphis, three city charter questions too. Folks in Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington will also be voting on local races.
What happens at City Hall matters. But so do the decisions made in Nashville and in Washington. They affect our neighborhoods, schools, jobs, roads, and safety.
When those decisions are made about Memphis, Memphis needs to be part of making them.
Know Before You Go
Here’s something you need to know before November 3. Tennessee’s congressional districts have been redrawn. Shelby County is now split into three congressional districts. Depending on where you live, your district may be different from the last time you voted.
So before you vote, look it up.
Then take a few minutes with your sample ballot. See who’s running. Read up on the issues.
The constitutional amendments are long, so it’s worth reading them ahead of time. Figure out where you’re voting and when you’re going.
Go Vote Early
Early Voting: Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Thursday, Oct. 29, at any early voting site in Shelby County
Absentee ballot request deadline: Saturday, Oct. 24
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, at your assigned precinct
Bring a state or federal photo ID. Expired is okay. School IDs don’t count.
Check your registration at Shelby County Election Commission website.
Keep the Momentum Going
The future of Memphis has always been written by Memphians.
Find your district.
Know your ballot.
Go vote.
I am not telling you who or how to vote, but I am encouraging you to vote.
Let’s show up for Memphis.
P.S. Have you gotten your Choose901 merch yet? The Choose901 merch store is still open, but not for long! Grab your new favorite Memphis tee or hat before it closes. Every piece you scoop up helps fund campaigns that pour right back into this city. So go ahead, treat yourself. 🧢
