A coalition of faculty and students are dead-set on improving campus-wide voter turnout for the elections on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Only 40.6 percent of UTC students voted in the 2016 elections, says Shawn Trivette, professor in social, cultural and justice studies and an organizer of the #MocsGoVote2018 initiative.
“Fundamentally, voting is the most basic expression of civic engagement. It is part of what defines who we are as a people,” he explains. “Regardless of party, regardless of political orientation, regardless of our stance on different issues, how we self-govern is through engaging in the election process. It is not a perfect system, but it is the system we have.”
For anyone who intends to vote, you must take a valid form of identification with you to the polls. Those include a Tennessee driver’s license, state Department of Safety ID or state Handgun Carry permit, a U.S. passport or another federally-issued ID such as a military, veteran or government-employee ID. A Mocs card is not a valid ID.Anyone planning to vote must bring a valid photo ID—driver’s license or passport. Student ID’s do not qualify.
Election Day
What: Vans shuttling students to polling places on election day
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6
Where: The shuttles will pick up at the University Center, the Engineering, Math and Computer Science Building and outside of several residence halls and campus buildings. To see exactly where, watch the video below.
Details: The service is available only for students registered to vote with an on-campus address. The shuttles will go to the Olivet Baptist Church and the Dogwood Manor polling stations. If you live in Lockmiller, Stagmeier and Stophel housing or Guerry Apartments, you will vote at Olivet Baptist; if you are in Boling, Johnson Obear or West Campus Housing, you vote at Dogwood Manor.
Time to Party
What: Mocs Go Vote Party
When: 4-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6
Where: Chamberlain Field, UTC campus
Details: Free food, lawn games, a deejay and some prizes.
“Given the highly partisan nature of politics, we feel strongly that we need to demonstrate good democratic norms in a non-partisan way,” says Amanda Wintersieck, one of the organizers of Mocs Go Vote and UC Foundation assistant professor in political science and public service.
