Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, warned that the United States' democracy is under persistent attack from foreign actors seeking to undermine elections. A poll found that 46% of Americans believe it is likely or very likely that many votes will not be counted in elections. Tennessee ranks low nationally in ensuring secure elections through the use of paper trails for voting machines. However, there are signs of progress as 14 counties have moved to more secure systems and online voter registration and funding for upgrades are helping to address these issues. A new governor and legislature present an opportunity to improve voting security statewide through verifiable paper audits.

1. October 26, 2018
Vote Strong, Tennessee
Tennessee World Affairs Council

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Building Civic and Economic Opportunity
in the Volunteer State

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“These actions are
persistent, they’re
pervasive and they are
meant to undermine
America’s democracy on a
daily basis.... The warning
signs are there. The system
is blinking. And it is why I
believe we are at a critical
point.”
Dan Coats, Director of National
Intelligence
July 13, 2018

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46% of Americans:
It’s Likely or Very Likely That Many Votes Will Not Be Counted

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National Rankings:
November 2016 Presidential Election

8. July 2018 8SOURCE: TN Secretary of State; U.S. Census Bureau

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Signs of Progress: Online Voter
Registration
and Federal Funding for New Upgrades

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Voting Machines with Paper Trails (2016)
80% of Americans • Fewer than 10% of
Tennesseans

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14 Tennessee Counties are Leading the
Way
to More Secure Elections

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“A new governor and a 111th Tennessee General Assembly
with 25 new members in the State House as well as new
leadership presents a new opportunity to address voting
security. The move to voter verifiable paper auditable trail is
not a negative reflection on the local election commissions or
the secretaries of state, but rather an indictment of the bad
actors looking to undermine our nation’s democracy that
relies on the voter’s confidence that their vote is counted as
cast.”

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Statewide Community
Conversations
August-October 2018

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Early Vote: Turnout Up Across State

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