Do we really need to know

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Do we really need to know
5
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 7:08pm

who doesn't vote?


http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=5627497


Tennessee Tribune Publishes Non-Voting Names


Updated:

Dec 18, 2006 04:21 PM EST
























A number of metro area people were not too happy Thursday evening after discovering their names and addresses printed in a local paper.


The Tennessee Tribune published hundreds of names and addresses of people who did not vote in the August primary, the last election.


Silas Allen, 65, said it came as a shock. He had no idea his name was printed in the weekly paper that focuses on issues in the African-American community. He wasn't too pleased.


"I'm not gone let this stuff bother me," Allen said.


The names published were all from district 1 in North Nashville. The headline urges voters to make a difference and make history. Allen said what it will probably do is make people mad.


"Printing it in the paper is not going to make anybody run up there and vote," he said.


Paper's publisher said she had no comment about the paper's decision, and that she would respond after the election.


A number of voters casting early ballots Thursday thought the paper has the right idea.


"I don't understand why they wouldn't vote," early voter Sharon Logan said. "I kind of think if I saw my name in there not voting I would feel really bad and think I need to vote."


Logan said everyone needs to know the importance of voting, and if that is accomplished by embarrassing a few hundred people, so be it.


As for Allen, he does plan to vote in this election but said he didn't need his name plastered in a paper to do so.


"No, it has nothing to do with this," he said.


Allen said he's been a faithful voter for years. Recent health problems have prevented him from doing some of the things he would like to do including voting in August. He just wished the paper would have known that before publishing his name.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 7:13pm

I'm a firm believer in voting ... but I admit I did not vote in this primary.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2008
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 8:48pm

>>I don't think I'd like being 'outed' by a paper -- it's really not anyone's business who votes and who doesn't ... is it?<<

I don't think that it's anyone's business, and I wouldn't want to be outed either.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2008
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 9:37pm
Ok I feel very naive, how would they know who voted or not?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 9:41pm
they can't know WHO they voted for ... but I'm fairly sure it's public record WHO votes.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2008
Wed, 10-15-2008 - 9:44pm
Yes I panicked a bit.