Equality voters are turning out in Nashville

I got the list of voters from the Davidson County Election Commission today. 245 people voted at the Howard School today and 28 of them (about 11.4% of the total) are on the TEP list. A few of them are pictured at right. I took out any names that I knew were voting at this location for another reason (for example, because they are a candidate or because they came as part of the group from the early vote breakfast this morning). If we were to count some of these other folks who hold equality as a value, the number would be higher.

I haven't looked at the other locations, but it appears that our community and equality-minded voters in general are turning out the vote and could make a difference in this election.

The motivation is strong this time for many reasons--the attacks in the Legislature, the realization that having a pro-equality Metro Government to stand against them is important, and the opportunity to elect openly gay candidates.

Early voting continues through July 30 with Election Day on August 4. If you haven't voted, you can find out details about where and when at the Election Commission's site.

-Chris Sanders

Early Voting in the 18th

Based on everything I've heard, the early voting turnout in District 18 is on the light side. When I was at the Election Commission this morning, the turnout was really low. John Ray Clemmons' campaign was represented along with David Glasgow's.

On Friday night several of us walked the neighborhood leaving information on early voting at houses on our routes. See below for a picture of the some of the members of the walk team wearing their snazzy shirts. Today the campaign held an early voting tail gate in the Election Commission parking lot.

Mayor helping get out the vote on English Only

You can find his email here.

I am strongly against these charter amendments and I want you to join me in voting against English Only and Amendment No. 2.

While I do not question the intentions of the proponents of this initiative, I feel a responsibility as mayor to explain the implications such a radical change in our law could have for our city.

First, let me explain what the English Only amendment is not. It is not a vote on immigration reform and it is not a harmless message to office holders. The proposed charter amendment will have absolutely no effect upon efforts to curtail illegal immigration or to reform current national policy. Rather than permitting voters to send a message to the government, the referendum alters our charter in a way that will create legal, political, social and even moral consequences for years to come.

To me, it is the antithesis of hospitality and an unnecessary drain on taxpayer resources. The issue is divisive and will distract us from doing those things that will help us realize our potential as not just a great American city, but a great international city.

Early Voting Begins on Friday, July 18

Early voting begins tomorrow in Shelby County in anticipation of August 7.

Party primary races include US Senate, US House Districts 7, 8, and 9, and Tennessee Senate and House seats. Some of the Primary races are likely to determine the outcome of the November general election (e.g., US Senate races, US House Districts 7 & 9 and many of the other state senate and house races). Shelby County will also be voting for a Criminal Court Judge, Assessor, Trustee, County School Board members, and whether to retain State Appeal and Supreme Court Judges.

There are also important ballot initiatives (see 360, 361 A & B) to amend the Shelby County charter that will affect the number of terms that county commissioners and the the county mayor may serve and will define which county offices will be elected.

Go vote! Here's the information you need to know to vote early:

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING
AUGUST 7, 2008
FEDERAL & STATE PRIMARY AND COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION
Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-103, Tennessee Code Annotated, notice is hereby given by the Shelby County Election Commission of unrestricted early voting for the August 7, 2008, Federal & State

Primary and County General Election as follows:
Site Locations, Dates and Times

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION157 POPLAR AVE., SUITE 121

Beginning on Friday, July 18, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 19, 2008 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Weekdays: July 24 through August 1, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturdays: July 26 and August 2, 2008 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Satellite Sites

Weekdays: July 24 through August 1, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturdays: July 26 and August 2, 2008 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

LOCATION NAME
LOCATION ADDRESS

Anointed Temple Of Praise(Youth Room)
3939 Riverdale Rd., 38141

Baker Community Center
7942 Church St., 38053

Bethel Church
5586 Stage Rd., 38134

Berclair Church of Christ
4536 Summer Ave., 38122

Bishop Byrne High School
1475 E. Shelby Dr., 38116

Collierville Old Town Hall(Replaces Collierville Church of Christ)
101 Walnut St., 38017

Dave Wells Community Center
915 Chelsea Ave., 38107

Glenview Community Center(Replaces New Salem Church)
1141 S. Barksdale St., 38114

Greater Middle Baptist Church(Fellowship Hall)
4982 Knight Arnold Rd., 38118

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary(Replaces Faith Baptist Church)
2095 Appling Rd.; 38016

Mississippi Blvd. Pre-School Cafeteria(Replaces Mississippi Blvd Church Counseling Center)
70 N. Bellevue Blvd. 38104

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church(Fellowship Bldg)
3045 Chelsea Ave., 38107

New Bethel Baptist Church - Family Life Center
7786 Poplar Pike, 38138

Pyramid Recovery Center
1833 S. Third St., 38109

Raleigh United Methodist Church
3295 Powers Rd., 38128

Shiloh Baptist Church
3121 Range Line Rd., 38127

Westwood High School
4480 Westmont St., 38109

White Station Church of Christ
1106 Colonial Rd., 38117

Click to display map of the EV Sites

Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-102, TCA, a voter who desires to vote early shall go to the County Election Commission office or to any of the satellite locations listed above within the hours set out for the early voting period, sign an application for ballot and vote. Pursuant to Sec. 2-7-140 (c) (1) voters who are already registered can make address changes at an early voting site. For further information, call 545-4132.
SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONMyra Stiles, ChairmanRichard L. Holden, SecretaryRobert D. MeyersO. C. Pleasant, Jr. Shep Wilbun, Jr.