A new poll released by Vanderbilt shows that Tennesseans lack trust in their elected officials. The state legislature’s approval rating has dropped to 42 percent, the lowest percentage ever recorded.
The poll found that the majority of Tennesseans want gun safety reform, fewer restrictions on abortion and federal funding for education. But the General Assembly has refused to pass measures that align with those points of view and is considering rejecting $1.8 billion in federal funds for education.
The co-director of the poll, John Geer, says the drop in approval is due to the Republican party’s unwillingness to put public interest over the party’s. Geer added that lawmakers are able to ignore the public easily because of gerrymandered districts where they have no real challenge in the general election.
Most of the Republican state legislators are worried about losing in the primary, Geer said. He added that “rather than try and compete for the average voter and the independent voter… they’re competing for making sure the MAGA vote is behind them.”
Geer says if voters show up to the polls and vote enough moderate Republicans in, those elected officials could push for policies that the public favors.
Voter turnout in Tennessee is a challenge, however. The state ranks in the bottom five for turnout compared to the rest of the country.
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