Tennessee had worst voter turnout in US during 2022 midterms, report finds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Less than 40% of registered voters in Tennessee cast a ballot during the 2022 midterm elections, which was the worst turnout in the country, according to data from the Nashville-based nonprofit think tank, ThinkTennessee .

ThinkTennessee’s 2022 Election After Action Report compiled data from the Secretary of State’s Office on the 2022 midterm elections.

“While our voter turnout rates have been consistently low over the past 20 years, this is the first time we’ve ever been in last place,” said Erin Hafkenschiel, president of ThinkTennessee.

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Hafkenschiel told News 2 one of the reasons for the low voter turnout in the 2022 midterms was because the races weren’t very competitive. According to the report, more than half of the state legislative races in Nov. 2022 were uncontested, leaving voters with no “choice.” In the Aug. 2022 primaries, just 18% of the races had more than one candidate running, the data said.

According to ThinkTennessee, 18 races were determined within 10 percentage points in Aug. 2022, and just four races were determined within 10 percentage points in Nov. 2022, showing the lack of competition among the majority of the races.

“I do think that right now in Tennessee we are in a little bit of a vicious cycle,” Hafkenschiel said. “Turnout is going down, so not as many people are running for office, and when not as many people are voting, not as many people are running, and it continues to be this vicious, downward cycle. I think the only way we can turn that tide is more people voting, more people getting involved, more people running for office, and really showing folks that this is something that’s important to us as Tennesseans and we want to be engaged.”

However, some Tennessee laws may be making it more difficult for some to cast a ballot.

For example, Tennessee is one of only two states that requires voters to mail in their absentee ballots versus having the option to drop them off in person.

In addition, 35 states and D.C. have longer voter registration periods than Tennessee, where voter registration closes 30 days before an election. Twenty-four states allow same-day voter registration.

ThinkTennessee suggested the state should consider legislative changes, including one to allow voters to submit absentee ballots in person, and another to expand the voter registration window. The group also advised expanding Convenience Vote Centers to give voters more location options to cast their ballots and to help reduce election day challenges like long lines, and voters not being able to cast their ballot due to being at the wrong polling location.

ThinkTennessee also tracked the number of calls into the National Election Protection Hotline during the 2022 midterms. According to the data, around 60% of Tennesseans called to ask for information, including whether they were registered and where their polling location was. The other 40% called to report a challenge, including not being able to vote because they missed the registration or absentee ballot deadline.

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To read the full report, click here.

For information on early voting in Tennessee, click here.

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