As October begins, the Memphis Municipal election is fast approaching, and early voting numbers indicate Memphians are eager to get to the polls.
According to data from the Shelby County Voting Commission, the results from the first two days proved to be record-breaking. Statistics also show that the numbers for this year's first two days of early voting are the highest they have been in the last decade, when compared to the 2019 and 2015 Memphis Municipal elections. In the first 48 hours between Sept.15 and Sept.16, over 5,000 residents cast their votes.
Though early voting is now closed, Shelby County who missed the deadline can cast their votes on election day, Oct. 5. The closest voting locations to the University of Memphis include the Davis Community Center in Davis Park, Second Baptist Church at Walnut Grove Rd. and Perkins Rd., and Whtie Station Church of Christ. An extensive list of voting locations can be found on the Shelby County Election Commission’s website.
As part of the Municipal election, citizens will have the opportunity to vote on a mayoral candidate, as well as one of seven district Memphis City Council candidates, depending on their district. The front runners of the mayoral election, which include Paul Young, former Mayor Willie Herenton, Van Turner, and Floyd Bonner, spoke directly to students on Sept. 4 during the Memphis Mayoral Candidate Forum in Rose Theater. From the stage, the candidates addressed their goals, which included the enhancement of education, resources for the homeless and crime deterrence. Discussions about who will be the next mayor have been prevalent among students at the U of M.
"One thing I am looking for in a mayor is one that actually prioritizes helping the youth because Memphis does not have that many opportunities for the youth,” said Josh Blackwell, a political science major. “They are the future of our city, so if we don't improve them, we will continue to see so many negatives in our city."
Crime in Memphis continues to be a major talking point in the election, as gun related crime, murders, assaults, property crime and overall crime is up across the board, according to the Shelby County Crime Commission. A mayoral poll from August conducted by Emerson College reported that 21% of the Memphis citizens polled believed more police presence would help reduce crime, while 19.3% suggested harsher law enforcement and sentencing. Fueled by the promises of several of the mayoral candidates in their campaigns, Memphis citizens are hopeful that the results of this election will aid in deterring crime around the city.
In order to register to vote in Shelby County, you must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old on or before the next election, a resident of Shelby County, and have not been convicted of a felony, or if you have, your voting rights must have been restored.
Citizens register to vote by filling out an application online, or completing a physical hard copy. Registration application forms are available at the following locations: Shelby County Election Commission - Main Downtown Office, County Clerk's Office, Shelby County Register's Office and public libraries. More details about those two options can be found in this guide. While it may be too late to register to vote in this election, as a voter must be registered no later than 30 days before the election, the next opportunity to vote is the presidential election, which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
