Pre-election pep talk with Tre Hargett, Chloe Akers, Ming Wang and John Spragens

On the eve of Election Day, we spend a moment looking at political polarization and the nonpartisan advocates trying to draw us back to the center. We’re joined by attorney Chloe Akers and Dr. Ming Wang. We’ll also have a live update from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett as we learn the U.S. Justice Department has deployed election monitors to our state. Plus, we’ll hear how the Nashville Guardians of Democracy are trying to prevent interference at polling sites and ask how they avoid adding to intimidation concerns. And the Nashville branch of the NAACP is connecting voters with rides. President Timothy Hughes joins us to explain how it works. It’s a pre-election pep talk ahead of the midterms.

Guests:

• Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State
• Marianna Bacallao, WPLN power & equity reporter
• Chloe Akers, The Best of Tennessee
• Dr. Ming Wang, Common Ground Network
• John Spragens, Nashville Guardians of Democracy
• Timothy Hughes, NAACP Nashville Branch

Further Reading:

• Shelby County one of three counties in Tennessee the DOJ selected to send election monitors [WMC]
• Tennessee officials urge caution amid reports of ballot problems [Tennessee Lookout]
• Tent revivals and sports bars: on the campaign trail for Tennessee District 9 [WPLN]
• Tennessee early voting lower than 2018 gubernatorial race, Williamson County leads turnout [WPLN]
• Lawyers Form Voter Protection Group in Nashville Ahead of November Election [Nashville Banner]