Jason Kander and “Cap, Gown, Vote!” comes to Chattanooga next week

During early voting period in the recent Hamilton County general election, we were last among all of Tennessee’s 95 counties. This statistic is particularly distressing when you consider that in 2014, our state ranked 50th — out of 50 — in voter turnout.

Getting young voters engaged is an especially big problem. A recent poll by the Atlantic says that a only 28% of young people between the ages 18 and 29 are “absolutely certain” that they will vote in the upcoming midterms. According to the same poll, 74% of senior voters are sure to vote.

These numbers are pretty bad — they don’t have to be.

Mobilizing American voters is the mission of Let America Vote, a nonprofit organization started by Mayor Berke’s friend Jason Kander. On the evening of Wednesday, August 29, Jason and the Mayor will be here for a very special event with our Mayor’s Youth Council. High schoolers will share their big ideas and innovative strategies for getting more young people to the polls.

This fun event is free and open to the public; click here for more details and free registration.