As municipal elections in Tennessee fast approach, groups are making an urgent push for more voter education in the Nashville metro area.

More than 4.5 million Tennessee voters could cast ballots in the Metropolitan General Election on Aug. 3.

Debbie Gould, president of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, said so far, early voting turnout has picked up in some polling locations but not in others.

She added some Nashville residents are understandably undecided, especially about the mayor's race.

"There still are a fair number of people who are really uncertain who they want to vote for, which is, I think, reflects the fact that we have a lot of candidates who bring a lot of qualifications to the table," Gould explained. "I think the fact that we have, as of now, 11 candidates, is making it a tough choice for some people."

The early voting period for the primary ends July 29. Gould noted in case a runoff election is needed, it is already scheduled for Sep. 14. She pointed out voting early offers the flexibility of evening and Saturday hours, and allows people to avoid Election Day crowds and perhaps shorten their wait times at the polls.

Gould said Nashville's five at-large city council seats have 21 contenders, including two incumbents and several former district council members. Of the 35 district council seats, 16 have no competing incumbents. After Rep. Bill Beck's unexpected death this summer, there is a primary for his House District 51 seat, and House District 52 is also up for a vote.

"Which has been served by Rep. Justin Jones," Gould noted. "As you recall, he was one of the 'Tennessee Three' who was removed from office this spring, and he is in a race against Laura Nelson for House District 52."

The League of Women Voters and other organizations have held forums and televised town hall debates to help voters keep up with the candidates. Gould emphasized voters have expressed multiple concerns, from what they perceive as state legislative "overreach" in Nashville, to homelessness.

"There have been a number of issues -- and some of them again, going directly to some of the concerns that we have as a city -- about affordable housing, for example, and transit, and certainly the size of Metro Council," Gould outlined.

She added the League's website Vote411.org is where anyone can check their voter registration status, find their polling place and see the specific races on their ballot, along with candidate information.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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An Indiana debate over history and power is growing. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith recently defended the Three-Fifths Compromise in a social media video. The compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes.

Beckwith called it a "great move" for America at the time, and praised the group WallBuilders, describing them as the "gold standard" for teaching U.S. history.

The Indiana Citizen investigated both claims. Publisher Bill Moreau called on Hoosiers to pay attention.

"We have been working on a project since the first of the year that we called: 'One Heartbeat Away: Do Christian nationalists have an agenda for Indiana?' Lt. Gov. Beckwith is literally one heartbeat away from being governor," he said.

If Beckwith became governor, he could shape education policy. That includes choosing textbooks. The Indiana Citizen's report found WallBuilders promotes views rejected by most historians. Some Hoosiers agree with Beckwith and say his views reflect America's religious roots.

Moreau encouraged Hoosiers to stay informed and take a closer look at the history Beckwith promotes.

"Understand what Lt. Gov. Beckwith said about the Three-Fifths Compromise," he added. "How he attributes that analysis to this group called WallBuilders - which he considers to be 'the gold standard for learning the real history of America.'"


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Seattle's City Council voted last week to put the city's Democracy Voucher Program on the ballot to be renewed in August and supporters of the program are looking to take it statewide.

Launched in 2017, the program gives each resident four $25 vouchers to donate to participating candidates. Data show the program has boosted voter turnout, increased small donors fivefold, and encouraged more women and people of color to run.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the nonprofit People Powered Elections Seattle, said voucher programs counter nationwide voting rights rollbacks and model a more inclusive democracy.

"It's proof that we can reduce the influence of big money, can expand participation, and can give regular people a stronger voice in who represents them," Olson outlined.

People Powered Elections has been working on a bill for next session to bring democracy vouchers to Washington's state legislative races. Participating candidates must get a minimum number of signatures and small donations to qualify and must adhere to contribution and spending limits.

Critics of the program said it creates new avenues for corruption because candidates will be motivated to lie about where the contributions come from. Olson countered so far in Seattle there has been no evidence of widespread misuse or fraud, adding there are robust legal safeguards in place.

"Anyone who commits theft, forgery, trafficking or unlawful transfers of democracy vouchers face steep penalties and fines and up to time in jail," Olson pointed out.

Olson noted Seattle's success has inspired interest from other cities and counties. He added a statewide voucher program for legislative elections could create infrastructure to expand it locally, helping smaller communities hold more competitive races.

"I used to live over in Kittitas County for many years, and it was very common to have an uncontested election or not even have anyone run for local office," Olson recounted.

A bill to bring a voucher program to Washington's state elections will be introduced next year.


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Indiana activists with the 50501 movement will hold new protests this summer against the Trump administration.

The effort, which stands for "50 protests, 50 states, one movement," plans to expand beyond the Statehouse into smaller Indiana communities.

Alisa Advani, Indiana chapter member of the 50501 movement, said local organizers will lead the new events. Advani explained the movement wants to fight government overreach and protect constitutional rights.

"It's a national group," Advani pointed out. "It was designed specifically so that there would be coordinated protests in every state on the same day, and it's grown exponentially. Now, we've had protest groups pop up by the 10s, 20s, 30s across every state."

Critics said the protests exaggerate federal actions. Some argued they turn legal and policy debates into political fights. National political analysts said the 50501 movement reflects political division and growing public concern about the role of government.

Advani noted more 50501 groups are forming across the country. The Indiana chapter plans to announce summer protest dates soon.

"A lot of people in the United States are upset," Advani emphasized. "They see a loss of constitutional rights and due process. And they've decided to come out in protest to send a very clear message to Congress and the President of the United States that we will not stand by idly and let this happen."

The group said it wants to create a space for people who may have been afraid to speak out in the past. Advani added they accept new members from all political backgrounds, including those who once supported current federal policies.


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