Case Study
In Tennessee, Civic TN and members of the Tennessee Titans text their communities for National Voter Registration Day.
The Challenge
We all deserve to be heard, including through casting a ballot. Ensuring that our communities can register to vote and know how to vote is critical to the fight for a truly multiracial democracy.
As a network, we must combat rampant voter misinformation and disinformation that can confuse voters or discourage BIPOC communities from engaging civically. We must connect with our communities to hear what they need and what questions they have.
We can do this through developing key partnerships, leadership and relationship building, and civic tech.
The Approach
In celebration of 2022 National Voter Registration Day, Civic TN and members of the Tennessee Titans encouraged Tennesseans to engage in their civic duty as early voting nears for the upcoming November election. This successful partnership sparked from the urgency to encourage Tennessee residents to ensure their voter registration is up-to-date, make a plan to vote and encourage their fellow community members to do the same as the October 11th voter registration deadline nears.
In addition to the Titans collaboration, several of our partners across Tennessee participated in National Voter Registration Day and produced astonishing results. Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH) partnered with the University of Memphis Student Government Association to host a “Roar the Vote” event, encouraging college students to engage in their civic duties.
Other groups like Memphis Artists for Change (MAC) hosted phone banking and canvassing events to encourage their communities to get involved in the election process as November nears.
Civic TN with members of the Tennessee Titans at a text bank for National Voter Registration Day. (Image Credit: the Titans Community)
“We have, as citizens of this country, the right of democracy. It’s important that our voices are heard, our elected officials are held accountable, and our values are represented by our communities,”
— Matia Powell, Executive Director of Civic TN.
Members of the Tennessee Titans at a text bank with CivicTN for National Voter Registration Day. (Image Credit: the Titans Community)
Our Impact
18 Tennessee Titans players collectively sent 8,300 texts to members of one of our partners, TIRRC Votes. The response rate was 15%, which is 750% more than the average response rate!
MAC used their week full of events to highlight the list of purged voters in Shelby County, Tennessee. The group urged the election commission to encourage free and clear elections, which include no roadblocks or obstructions to voting. During their week of action, the group made nearly 1,000 calls, knocked 1,000 doors, and registered 52 Shelby County residents.
Another state partner, The Equity Alliance, registered over 50 Tennessee State University Students during the civic holiday. Outside of their work to register college students, the group has a faithful voter project where they visit churches and faith-based communities to encourage people to vote.
Conclusion
The events across the state during 2022 National Voter Registration Day culminated with reminders for partners to be “good stewards” of the civic engagement process all while encouraging them to educate family, friends, and neighbors to use their voice not only during this election season, but throughout the year.
When we come together across interests—whether we’re athletes, organizers, or both—we can make a difference.
Matia Powell, Executive Director of Civic TN, works with the Tennessee Titans at a text bank for National Voter Registration Day. (Image Credit: the Titans Community)
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