Vanderbilt encourages the entire campus community to participate in the upcoming state and federal primary and state and county general election on Thursday, August 1. This Tennessee primary election is pivotal in determining candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate and Tennessee House of Representatives ahead of the general election on November 5. Additionally, the August 1 election will fill vacant state judicial offices and applicable county offices.
Key dates to remember:
- Early Voting: Friday, July 12 – Saturday, July 27
- Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, July 25
- State and Federal Primary Election: Thursday, August 1
A critical step in being an engaged citizen is to vote. Vanderbilt encourages every eligible member of the university community—students, staff and faculty—to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to register and vote in elections held in their districts of residence.
The August 1 primary will determine which candidates advance in each party to the general election. Given that many candidates across the state face no opposition in the general election, the August primary has grown considerably in importance over the last several election cycles.
Vanderbilt encourages the university community to vote in the primary regardless of their party affiliation and to choose candidates who best represent their interests.
To help students, faculty and staff navigate the electoral process, Vanderbilt has partnered with TurboVote, a platform that simplifies voter registration and provides updates on election details like polling locations, candidate information and any last-minute changes.
Voting is a powerful tool for shaping the future of our community, state and country. Every vote can make a difference in the outcome of an election. Vote on August 1 and contribute to the vital democratic tradition that shapes our society.
Helpful resources: