NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — In Tennessee and Kentucky, there are only about two more weeks to register to vote before the November General Election. With that in mind, there were two big voter registration drives going on Saturday in North Nashville.
Partners in the Struggle set up a voter registration drive just off of Jefferson Street near Fisk University. Prospective voters could fill out their Davidson County Election applications, then grab a bite to eat or shop for a mask at two African American owned businesses.
One of the organizers says they saw an impressive turnout of young voters, registering for the first time.
"You have the power to make change when you vote. And if you don’t vote, I don’t think you have the right to say anything too much. We want to make sure everybody exercises their right to vote," said Earl Thomas with Partners in the Struggle.
Robin Tory says she saw the drive from the road and took full advantage.
"I was going to the grocery store and then I was like, it had been worrying me that I hadn’t gotten registered to vote," she said.
Off of Clarksville Pike, the Urban League of Tennessee held their own voter registration drive, where people didn't even have to get out of their cars.
Participants could weave through the Cathedral of Praise parking lot. At each stop, they could register to vote, fill out their 2020 census response and pick up a free hot meal provided by the Urban League.
State Sen. Brenda Gilmore, a board member for Urban League TN, says it's all about meeting people where they are, especially during this pandemic.
"Your vote is your voice so we cannot allow other people to make decisions for us we’ve got to be out there and vote so we can help determine what the policies of this great city, this state and of course the country," said Sen. Gilmore.
If you missed these voter drives but would still like to register, you still have time but the clock is ticking. The deadline to register in both Tennessee and Kentucky is October 5.
