Voting Push

Groups like the Hamilton County Voter Coalition is making sure people know about how to early vote and vote by absentee.

The start of the early voting season and many organizations helping people get to the polls.

The hamilton county voter coalition, and the equity alliance tell news 12's winston reed, the many ways they're encouraging more people make it to the ballot box.

Registering, educating and engaging voters.

That's the sole mission for organizations like the hamilton county voter coalition.

Co-chair audrey ramsey says the coalition recently partnered with the league of women voters and students.

Gathering volunteers to help the elderly secure their vote.

"nursing homes, retirement places, as well as assitant living organizations who are registered to vote and want to vote through absentee ballots."

Ramsey says her organization has also reached out to students 17 or older who will be 18 before november 3rd.

"we've volunteers throughout the city and all the various high schools to wor with them registered to vote.

In some cases it's been online and some cases we've delivered the paper registration forms."

"early voting starts tomorrow.

This feels like the super bowl for organizations like ours."

Director for the equity alliance in chattanooga dennis clark says his organization has regisered one thousand black voters in hamilton county.

Along with rides to the ballot box, the equity alliance and their attorneys will offer what they call n.

"if you go to the polls and there's an issue we have a number you can call and we'll also have people at the polls that you can reach out to immedietly.

If there's issues like you're registration is not found or if you need information on how to do a provisional ballot, or if they turn you around because you may not be wearing an appropriate t-shirt."

"talk about why you're orgnaization is pushing people to vote early."

"it's important to vote early so that no one is turned away or people don't get fatigued by waiting in long lines.

I don't recommend going on election day."

There are four early voting locations in hamilton county: the hamilton county election commission, brainerd recreation center, collegedale city hall,and the hixson community center.

Ealry voting will last from october 14th to the 29th.

Reporting in hamilton county winston reed news 12