Tennesseans with smart phones can now download an app that gives registered voters information regarding the upcoming November election.
The app, GoVoteTN, was unveiled on Tuesday by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and state Election Coordinator Mark Goins.
Hargett, a U of M alumnus, laid out the reasons for launching the app.
“The app gives voters information that fits in the palm of their hand,” Hargett said. “The app allows you to do a little research before hand in order to make a prepared, educated, informed vote.”
According to Hargett, 3,000 people have downloaded the app since it was released on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
The app offers registered voters early voting polling locations, maps, hours of operation and even a sample ballot which will show voters what the actual ballot will look like when they go to vote.
Hargett addressed one concern some users might have—the app doesn’t store personal information.
“We do not store any data,” Hargett said. “None, zero, zilch. We have no idea how people are marking the sample ballot offered on the app.”
Hargett said that they do not have any access or way of means to collect any private information about voters.
Another concern addressed was whether or not the app has any bugs that need to be fixed. According to Hargett, while there are always concerns about new technology they have not found any bugs so far. He also mentioned how important customer reviews and suggestions are to improving the app.
“Please post suggestions and questions on this app so we can make this app the best it can possibly be,” Hargett said.
The app will allow voters to keep up with the results of the race. Hargett said that once the polls close on election night and they begin to accumulate the totals, people with this app could track the race and see how it is going.
The app also provides a way for voters to dedicate their vote to a friend or family member that is or was in the military through the ‘Honor Vote Program.’
“The Honor Vote Program is a very special way to dedicate your vote to someone special and make it count that much more,” Hargett said.
Justin Rountree, a 19-year-old U of M freshman majoring in criminal justice, was not aware of the app until today and said he will definitely download it.
“The app is really cool because I am not from around here so it will be a really good informative tool to use,” Rountree said.
Samantha Elkouz, 18, a freshman computer engineering student at the U of M, also said she did not know about the app but will download it.
“I will use the app so I can make an informed election decision,” Elkouz said. “Plus, it looks like a really good app.”
Hargett hopes that this app will encourage young people to register to vote.
“We will do anything we can do to encourage eligible voters to engage in the electoral process,” Hargett said.
