Study: State near bottom for voter turnout

“When fewer than 30 percent of folks vote and 15 percent can dictate the outcome, it undermines the essential legitimacy of Tennessee’s government.” – JEFF YARBRO, STATE SENATOR, D-NASHVILLE

A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that for the past eight years Tennessee has been one of the worst states in the nation for voter turnout, hitting a record low in 2014.

Out of every state and Washington, D.C., Tennessee placed 50 out of 51 for voter turnout in 2014, with only 29 percent of the population heading to the polls.

Tennessee has been traditionally one of the lowest states in voter turnout in the nation. Out of 50 states on the list, the Volunteer State ranked 43, 49, 46 and 50 in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Compared with other states, which according to the data seem to fluctuate to high rankings, Tennessee has consistently placed in the 40s or lower. But Democrats and Republicans have their theories.

According to state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, it’s downright embarrassing and an indication of much-needed reform.

“When fewer than 30 percent of folks vote and 15 percent can dictate the outcome, it undermines the essential legitimacy of Tennessee’s government,”

Yarbro said. “Worse, the declining participation is partially by design. Through absurd gerrymandering and deliberate restrictions, Tennessee has made it harder to vote and even harder to cast a ballot that matters.”

State Republicans see it differently. Tennessee GOP Chairman Ryan Haynes said low voter turnout is a result of Tennesseans being content with their Republican leadership and doesn’t show a lack of participation, but rather the decreasing popularity of the Democratic Party.

“What you’re seeing here is the predictable result of two trends,” Haynes said. “First, Tennesseans are increasingly supportive of the success we’re witnessing under Republican leadership. Our state is on the right track by nearly every economic measurement, our education rankings are improving, and our taxes are low. Secondly, the Tennessee Democratic Party is increasingly irrelevant and that’s proven by the token opposition they’ve put up in general elections. Our state is succeeding, and voters clearly want that to continue.”

Despite lower-than-average voting numbers overall in last week’s election, Republicans showed an overwhelming presence during early and absentee voting statewide.