Early Voting in Memphis Shows Lower Turnout Ahead of Election Day
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As we inch closer to Election Day on November 5, early voting is buzzing, but the turnout isn’t quite what we saw back in 2020. Up until Thursday, a total of 145,743 people have cast their votes early in Shelby County. That’s a decent jump compared to the 2016 early voting figures, but it lags behind the impressive 219,454 early votes from the same time in 2020.
Curious about why this year’s turnout seems to be lagging, we spoke to a few voters to understand their feelings about heading to the polls. Alex Bateman shared his thoughts, saying, “The division between the two parties has really played a big role in just kind of wearing people out. I feel like a lot of people have become apathetic.” Still dedicated, Alex plans to vote on Election Day.
The need for increased participation is evident, especially among certain demographics. At the NAACP office, local leaders have been working hard to rally a specific group of voters—Black men. Van Turner emphasizes the urgency: “We got to get black men fired up and ready to go to the polls.” Engaging this segment of the population is crucial for boosting overall turnout.
Despite record numbers for voter registration this year, the actual turnout remains a point of concern. Ian Randolph from the Shelby County Voter Alliance pointed out a glaring issue. “You can’t just go and register someone to vote; you have to follow up with that person to get them to show up at the polls,” he explained. His organization plays a vital role in this follow-up process.
Siju Crawford with the Up the Vote 901 echoed similar sentiments, stating that voting is the way to have voices heard. “What I hear them saying is they feel that they are being left out,” she remarked. “Now that the presidential election will be behind us, this is our opportunity to galvanize as a community, particularly Black men, and say these are the things that we want, locally and federally, in exchange for our votes.”
Wagner Osborne added another layer to understanding the voting dynamic. “I think early voting—maybe not enough people know about it,” she suggested. During a recent chat with friends, she was surprised to find out that half of them didn’t even know early voting was an option. This could very well explain why turnout isn’t as high as hoped.
To tackle this lack of awareness, voter mobilizations and community rallies have been popping up all over Memphis. A notable event, the Rolls to the Polls at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, took place just last night. It was all about making people aware of early voting opportunities and getting everyone pumped to head out to cast their ballots.
Voting officials are acutely aware that Shelby County has been trailing behind other major cities in Tennessee regarding voter turnout for quite some time. There’s a collective hope that this year’s election will mark a significant turnaround. “Whatever candidate you’re voting for, it’s important to get your voice out there and make your vote count,” Bateman urged, emphasizing the need for community engagement.
With Election Day quickly approaching, it’s vital for everyone to understand the importance of their vote and encourage friends and family to participate as well. After all, every single vote matters, and your voice deserves to be heard!
