Tennessee’s early voting period is underway, and it has never been easier for registered citizens to exercise this constitutional right and cast their ballots. During this year’s early voting period, Tennesseans have even greater flexibility. They can vote during evening hours, as well as on Saturday at one of the many locations within our community.
When voters head to their local precincts, all will be required to have a valid photo identification in order to participate. Additionally, everyone will be encouraged to wear a face covering and maintain the appropriate six-foot social distancing parameters around both poll workers and other voters. All polling officials will also be wearing face coverings, and they have been trained to observe social distancing parameters as well.
This year’s election cycle is perhaps one of the most important in recent history, and the choices are very clear. While Republicans want to restore our way of life, rebuild the greatest economy our state and nation has ever seen, and renew the American Dream, Democrats continue to push their radical agenda of anarchy, disruption, and chaos, open borders, tax increases, burdensome restrictions on businesses, and the senseless killing of our unborn children.
Tennessee has flourished under Conservative leadership in recent years. While our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the Republican-led General Assembly made tough decisions — just like many Tennessee families — to address historic revenue shortfalls caused by the pandemic, without raising taxes on Tennesseans. We also supported our cities and counties to help get them back up on their feet through a $210 million city and county grant program as part of our new budget. We stood with businesses by providing critical resources through the Tennessee Small Business Relief Program, we invested in our Unemployment Trust Fund to protect businesses from a tax increase, and we established new standards to address the potential of frivolous lawsuits resulting from the ongoing pandemic.
This year, we also increased access to the electronic delivery of health care through our telemedicine legislation. Additionally, we passed historic pro-life legislation that bans abortion procedures at the very moment a heartbeat is detected. Finally, we stood with law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and our first responders, while standing against all those rogue individuals who thrive on lawlessness through the law and order bill.
House Republicans remain committed to passing effective public policy that addresses the unique needs of all citizens. When you head to the polls to cast your ballot, I ask you to stand with us once again — both during the early voting period, and on election day. Your continued partnership and support will ensure Tennessee remains a national leader on many different levels, and the best place in the entire nation to live, work, raise a family, and retire. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you, your loved ones, and our great state!
Ron Gant is also a member of the House Finance, Ways, & Means, House Health, and House Insurance Committees, the House Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations, and Encore Subcommittees, and the Select Committee on Rules. Gant lives in Rossville and represents Tennessee House District 94, which includes Fayette, McNairy, and a portion of Hardeman Counties.