Only 16 States Let Voters Dedicate Their Ballots to Veterans. Tennessee Is One.

Voters in Tennessee casting early voting ballots in the state’s primary election on August 6 are carrying out their civic duty with a special ‘Thank You’ to military service members. Tennessee is one of 16 states with an ‘Honor Vote’ program, allowing voters to dedicate their vote to a veteran or active duty soldier.

“Tennessee voters are proud of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country,” Ben Hill, spokesperson for the Tennessee Secretary of State, said in a statement to Military.com. “By casting their votes in honor of someone who is serving or has served our country, they’re showing that they want those stories of service, sacrifice, and courage to be shared widely, so future generations can understand and appreciate the contributions of our veterans and active-duty service members.”

Early voting started Friday across Tennessee with voters deciding primary races for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, and the Tennessee General Assembly, in addition to deciding many local races.

Winners are considered nominees who will go on to the general election in November.

‘Honor Vote’ Initiative Garners Positive Response

Tennessee’s ‘Honor Vote’ program was launched in 2012, and allows registered voters to sign up online and fill out a form with their name, mailing address, and phone number, as well as the name of the veteran or service member they want to honor. The military member’s branch of service, rank, and some highlights from their service are also asked on the form.

The response has been incredibly meaningful. Participants are honoring parents, spouses, grandparents, children, and friends who served in every generation, from World War I and World War II to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and those currently serving today.

Hill told Military.com more than 300 Tennessee voters have made a request to cast an ‘Honor Vote’ in the first few days of early voting. Tennessee joins Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio with similar honor vote programs.

The U.S. Vote Foundation has joined the cause, urging registered voters in those states to cast an honor vote. The organization is also hosting an “Honor Wall” on its website where people can post a tribute to a veteran or active service member online.

“Our right to vote has been defended by the courage and sacrifice of the many brave men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces,” reads a statement on the U.S. Vote Foundation’s web page. “Anyone who has someone in their family or a friend in the armed forces understands the dedication and patriotism demonstrated by these men and women in defense of our freedom and liberty.”

Commemorative Button Accompanies “Honor Vote’

On Tennessee’s state government website, Secretary of State Tre Hargett is urging voters to recognize a veteran or active duty service member with an honor vote.

Those joining the program this year will receive a special commemorative button that celebrates America’s 250th birthday. The button will arrive by mail free of charge.

“On Election Day when you go to vote, I would love for you to wear it the entire early voting period,” Hargett said in his online statement. “So you can tell others about your loved one that you’re voting in honor of and also encourage others to participate in our elections.”

An issue briefing updated in January by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) explains why the form voters fill out in their state when requesting an honor vote is so critical.

“The form may ask the voter to include the veteran’s full name, military branch, rank, and service dates, as well as the voter’s full name and contact information,” the NASS issue briefing reads online. “The voter may also be asked to share why they are dedicating their vote to the specified veteran/service member and to highlight any additional achievements and military decorations. Some forms also allow the voters to share photos of the veteran/service member.”

In Tennessee, voters are able to sign up for the ‘Honor Vote’ program either before or after casting their vote, during the early voting period through August 1.