Democracy for Tennessee - Democracy for Tennessee

Vote By Mail: Campaign Update from the Legislature

Mon, 07 May 2007 23:01:42 -0400

The Vote By Mail for Tennessee campaign got two big boosts today!

The first came from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), which recommended that the state "consider making early voting and voting by mail more accessible" and that the state "consider a Vote By Mail pilot program."

The second came from Brook Thompson, director of the Tennessee Division of Elections, who told us after the meeting that he would be open to setting up a trial of the program. Thompson's support and the TACIR report were two big steps toward bringing Vote By Mail to Tennessee, but there's still lots of work to be done yet.

We're hoping to get legislation yet this session that would enable the trials. If we're unsuccessful, it goes on the agenda for next session.

Activists Thrive at Knoxville's DFA Training Academy!

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:42:34 -0400

"It was awesome!"

That was the reaction of one of the Tennessee activists at the end of the two-day DFA Training Academy held in Knoxville last weekend.

Many of those who filled Karns Middle School had not worked on a campaign before or were not familiar with the sophisticated techniques outlined by DFA trainers. During breaks they peppered instructors with more questions and began making plans about how they would use the information in future efforts.

DFA Brings National Campaign Training Program to Knoxville THIS WEEKEND!

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:11:22 -0400

The DFA Training Academy is one of the most respected and renowned campaign training programs in the country. And THIS WEEKEND, April 28 & 29, Training Academy comes to Knoxville!

DFA Training Academy is an intensive, two-day series of workshops geared toward your particular political landscape. The primary focus will be on campaign management, field organizing, communications, grassroots advocacy, and precinct organization. You'll get personalized, one-on-one instruction from some of the most experienced political campaign experts in the country and we make sure that you can use your training as soon as you get home.

SIGN UP NOW!

If you want to see what happened at last year's training in Memphis, click here.

Tennessee Turns Out for Lamont, Dean, and the DFT Convention!

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:54:39 -0400

On Easter weekend, close to 80 progressives from Memphis to Knoxville and all points in between attended Democracy for Tennessee’s Convention ’07 in Nashville throughout the day on Saturday.

"Green Tennessee" Campaign Kicks Off!

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:12:31 -0400

I'm pleased to say that the Green Tennessee (GT) Campaign is off and running with a great start! First of all, a huge thanks to everyone who attended the workshop and campaign launch: You all made the workshop a big success and a real pleasure to host. The diversity of ages and backgrounds represented was quite heartening, and exactly what I think is needed to get the kind of legislation enacted we want in order to protect our environment. So again, to everyone there, thank you!

After presenting a brief overview of the GT campaign, I handed things off to Seannalyn Brandmeir, presenter for the Climate Project. She provided an excellent overview of the goals and structure of Climate Project presentations, leading us through many great examples and explaining how the presentation builds its argument from start to finish. Next, Jeff Barrie, filmmaker and creator of Kilowatt Ours explained why he made the film, and how the Kilowatt Ours film and project seeks to show people how they can practically and dramatically reduce their energy usage without nearly as much effort or sacrifice as one might think.

VBM's First "Day on the Hill"!

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 07:29:37 -0400

On March 22, I made a presentation on Vote by Mail to the Joint Study Committee on Voter Confidence, a subcommittee of the State & Local Government Committee. This committee is composed of six state Senators and six Representatives and is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Their task is to look at the proposed bills dealing with voting issues and to recommend those bills that they feel should go forward to the full committee for consideration.

To read the rest of this story, visit the Vote By Mail for Tennessee website.

DFT Supports VOTE BY MAIL!

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:39:16 -0400

WHAT IS VOTE BY MAIL?

Malfunctioning machines. Confused voters who can't read the complex ballot. Computer code that is kept secret by private corporations. Whole elections with no verifiable paper trail. Long lines and voter suppression tactics on election day.

It hasn't yet been getting much play, but there is a proven process to address all of these problems. That's right - a proven process. One that's been working in parts of the United States for over 20 years. The process is called Vote By Mail, or "VBM", and Democracy for Tennessee is getting ready to put its resources behind bringing this system to our state.
read more

DFT Kicks Off VOTE BY MAIL Campaign in Crossville!

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:56:38 -0500

Democracy for Tennessee officially launched its Vote By Mail for Tennessee campaign this weekend when Democracy for Cumberland County sponsored the first Vote By Mail Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 20, in Crossville. Carol Kemp, Chair of DFCC, and DFCC members warmly welcomed the approximately 50 attendees from across the community who braved Saturday’s cold to attend the group's first meeting of the new year.

DFT Mixes and Mingles at Media Reform Conference

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:09:27 -0500

Some 25 activists from across the Democracy for America coalition gathered for dinner on Saturday night at the National Conference on Media Reform.

DFAers from Tennessee, Connecticut, Missouri, and Georgia met at T.J. Mulligans Pub to have dinner and drinks, to talk about the issues raised at the media conference, and to tell us what their DFA groups have done in the last year – and what they’re planning for 2007.

Jim Grinstead On Board as DFT's Executive Director

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:03:56 -0500

I'm thrilled to announce that Jim Grinstead of Nashville has been named as the new Executive Director of Democracy for Tennessee!

Jim, a Missouri native, joined DFA Nashville in the summer of 2006 and became active on the DFAN Steering Committee. Aside from his work with the Nashville group, Jim also signed on as one of the instructors in the DFT Root Camp training program, where he gave invaluable instruction on media and communications. He also provided media consultation for DFT chapters and several of our candidates, including as a key advisor to Gracie Porter, the DFT-endorsed candidate who won a landslide victory in Nashville last August.

Announcing DFT's "FULL HOUSE" Slate of Candidates!

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:55:28 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee is proud to announce our FULL HOUSE slate of candidates that will help change the course of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Even though these candidates might not be in your own House district, it is still important that our state government hear from progressive voices in the Legislature. By donating to and campaigning for these candidates, you are helping to change the political landscape in Tennessee.

So dig deep and contribute or pack up the car and drive a few miles to go door-to-door for the FULL HOUSE slate. Remember, you have the power to take our country back... use it!

TN Progressives Score Victories on Election Day!

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:53:47 -0400

Democracy is on the rise in Tennessee as progressive candidates up and down the ballot scored major victories yesterday in an election that had Phil Bredesen and Harold Ford Jr. receive the Democratic Party nominations for Governor and U.S. Senate. Thanks to the hard work and determination of the grassroots, candidates endorsed by Democracy for Tennessee and supported by local DFA chapters won all across the Volunteer State, demonstrating the new people-powered network that DFT has been organizing for the last year and a half.

New Progressive Voice Joins Knoxville County Commission!

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:28:17 -0400

Six months of hard work paid off last night when Mark Harmon defeated incumbent David Collins for County Commission in Knox County Tennessee.

The main themes of Mark's campaign were:
1) Improving the Commission's relationship with the School Board and therefore improving the schools in the district.
2) Sensible restrictions on sprawl in the more rural parts of Knox County.
3) Watchdogging our dishonest Sheriff and his spending.

A few weeks later, another theme appeared:

4) Term-limits

Welcome to DFT-TV!!

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 22:59:07 -0400

Welcome to DFT-TV: VIDEOS FOR DEMOCRACY!

Here's where you'll find video clips and movies related to Democracy for America and Democracy for Tennessee.

You might need Windows Media Player to watch some of these clips, so if you don't have it, get the free software HERE.

In the meantime, take a look at what's on DFT-TV. Enjoy and don't forget to post a comment if you see something you think is cool!

:: OUR HIGHLIGHTS ::
Check out these video highlights of DFA in Tennessee!

THE TENNESSEE 12: Progressive Candidates for Tennessee's Future

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:21:43 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee is honored to announce our endorsed candidates, the "Tennessee 12".

Changing the political landscape and advancing progressive values across the state is our primary objective and these are the people that our local leaders have found that can do that... with your help!