Make Your Voice Heard: Election Season and Voting Reminders

If you’ve noticed all of the Halloween candy already out in the grocery stores (for real!), you know that, as hard as it is to believe, summer is drawing to a close. Schools are back in session, primary election voting is all wrapped up, and it’s time to turn an eye toward the beautiful autumn season, which will include 2024 Election Day on Tuesday, November 5.

As a proud member of the REALTOR^® Party, EMTAR is in accord with NAR and Tennessee Realtors^® in encouraging you, our valued members, to learn about key issues, evaluate who is running for office, and then vote for the candidates and issues that will build strong communities, protect property interests, and promote a vibrant business environment at the local, state, and national levels.

Doing that begins, of course, with . . .

MAKING SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE!

Sure, it’s a no-brainer, but it’s essential to be ready to make your voice heard in this fall’s elections for local, state, and national offices. The deadline to register in Tennessee is 30 days before that, making the target date October 8.

All of the details about Tennessee voter registration are available here.

If you’re already registered, please spread the word to others (fellow brokers/agents, clients, friends, neighbors) who might need to know where to get the scoop.

Or maybe you’re not sure about your voting status. No worries. To determine if you are a registered voter and view your early vote location(s) or polling location on Election Day, use the state’s Voter Registration Lookup or the GoVoteTN app. If no record is found, contact your local county election commission to determine your voting status.

When it comes to newer residents, you’ve almost certainly worked with buyers who only recently moved to Tennessee. Can they register to vote? Yes, absolutely. The place for them to learn about qualifications and to register is here.

WHAT IS AT STAKE, AND WHY DOES MY VOTE MATTER?

It doesn’t take much research to find examples of elections that came down to razor-thin margins, sometimes a matter of only a few votes. Every ballot matters, and it is both our right and our responsibility as Americans to engage in the electoral process.

When we do so, we take an active role in choosing the men and women who will represent us at every level, and those are the people who will shape laws and policies that have a direct impact on our lives and livelihoods.

Close to home, EMTAR keeps a keen eye on local issues that affect you, your buyers and sellers, private-property owners, and the overall vibrancy of our communities in Wilson, Smith, and Dekalb counties. These issues include taxation, zoning, property regulations, business and commercial ordinances, and a range of other local (and state) laws, codes, and rules.

In addition, EMTAR works hard to maintain strong, ongoing relationships with our elected and appointed officials, including mayors, council and commission members, local board members, senators and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly, and our U.S. Congress members. We make it a priority to participate in Day on the Hill each early spring, when EMTAR members visit Nashville to meet with our elected state officials and discuss laws, bills, and policies that are important to property owners and our real estate industry.

In short, we’ve got our ear to the ground because we know how important it is to vote, act, and invest. We encourage you as our members to engage as well.

ELECTION ISSUES ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL

The National Association of REALTORS^® includes a number of helpful resources on its main Realtor^® Party Voting page here.

In this 2024 election season, the broad policy and legislative priorities NAR is pursuing include:

1. Increasing Housing Inventory Through Tax Incentives

2. Improving Access to Homeownership

3. Ensuring Equal Access to Professional Representation

4. Expanding Economic Opportunities

When it comes to housing affordability—a major focus area, not only this year but on an ongoing basis—it “starts with adding to the nation’s severely limited inventory,” NAR says. “The U.S. is facing an underbuilding gap of 5.5 million units, translating to a $4.4 trillion underinvestment in housing. America’s tax law can and must do more to promote homeownership, build stable communities, and boost economic growth.”

Several specific policy questions that NAR is asking include:

1. Why should Congress update the capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of homes?

2. How can Congress stabilize and revitalize struggling neighborhoods?

3. Why should Congress incentivize the conversion of commercial space into residential and mixed-use properties?

4. Why should Congress allow descendants of certain veterans to take advantage of an unused VA home loan?

5. Why should real estate professionals be given a federal protection to remain independent contractors?

On the Fair Housing front, NAR is committed to the enforcement of laws and to policies that remove historic barriers to homeownership. The issues in this area include:

1. What efforts is NAR taking to close homeownership gaps among demographic groups?

2. How will increasing funding for HUD fair housing programs reduce barriers to homeownership?

3. What solutions has NAR advocated for to confront appraisal bias? 

4. How does NAR’s ACT! Initiative advance accountability for real estate professionals?

5. Why should Congress adopt the Fair and Equal Housing Act?

You’ll find a helpful one-page summary with these and other insightful FAQs here.

KEY VOTING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Finally, here are a few more details that might help you and/or those in your sphere of influence when it comes to voting on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5 (or during Early Voting).

When can I vote?

You can vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, or you can absentee vote by mail if you meet certain requirements. Find your early voting and Election Day polling place and hours in the GoVoteTN app.

Who are my elected officials?

Use our GoVoteTN app to find your elected officials. The GoVoteTN app will also provide you with a sample ballot, early voting locations, Election Day polling location and election results.  The GoVoteTN app is available in the Apple store, Google Play store, and through any browser as a website application.

You may find your state legislators here.

What ID is required for me to vote?

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable. Learn more about what types of ID are acceptable here or call the Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959.

How will I know who won on Election Day?

Election results can be found here.

How does Tennessee ensure election integrity?

In Tennessee it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat. Thanks to the election laws passed by the General Assembly and administered by the 95 County Election Commissions, Tennessee is ranked number one in the nation for election integrity by The Heritage Foundation. Learn more here.

Could I volunteer to be a poll worker?

Yes! As busy as we all are with our real estate endeavors, taking time to serve at a polling place can be a great way to engage with your local community. Or you might know someone in your family or network who might have more bandwidth and enjoy volunteering. You (or they) can learn more and apply here.

WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU, EMTAR MEMBERS!

We appreciate all of the brokers and agents who are part of our EMTAR family, and we love it when we hear of the many ways you are making a huge positive difference in our communities. One of the ways we all can do that is by casting our votes. Please be sure to make your voice heard on November 5—and to take a moment to help someone else get ready to do the same. Thank you!

About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,300+ REALTORS^® are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS^® and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.