My husband and I have three daughters. The first two were born two years apart. Seven years later, we gave away our highchair and our third daughter was born. (That’s how babies are made.)

When our older girls were in middle school and loved video games, our little one was in preschool and always wanted to play too. They’d give her an unplugged controller and tell her she was playing. Well, she was young but she wasn’t stupid. When she realized she’d been tricked, she put down the controller and stormed away.

I’ve been thinking about that in the context of voting, and how Democrats in Tennessee are constantly urging young people to vote. And that’s great! We’ve got to engage them.

But when they do vote, they’re often handed a ballot full of Republicans running unopposed. Do you think these young voters feel plugged into democracy? Or do they feel tricked—and will they put down the controller and storm away?

If they don’t vote because they don’t think it makes a difference, how does that affect the one or two contested races at the top of the ballot, like governor or US senator? Nonvoters helped get us another four years of Bill Lee in 2022. If we don’t want another six years of Marsha Blackburn in 2024, we’d better offer choices up and down the ballot.

My solution? Have a backup candidate for every position where no Democrat has stepped up to run. Let’s find good progressive people who are willing to serve if elected—no campaigning or fundraising required. Have them ready to turn in a petition by noon April 4 so no Republican runs unopposed.

A lot of older Tennesseans have been voting for a letter for years. Younger Tennesseans are living with the results—and they’re pissed. Let’s make sure they’re plugged in when they show up to vote for a letter too.

Want to talk about it? Email me at [email protected]. 

Allison
[email protected]