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“Voting in the August primary is absolutely as important, if not more determinative, for 95% of our state legislative seats than the general,” Akers said. “I’m not suggesting that you don’t vote in November — I think it’s critical that you vote at every single opportunity.”

Akers explained that gerrymandering is what shifted the stakes from November to August.

“After our state legislature was gerrymandered, it shifted the election that determines political survival from the general to the primary,” she said. “The threat to a lawmaker’s seat post-gerrymandering in this state shifted from a challenger from another party to a challenger within your own party.”

That shift, Akers said, means the primary electorate — not the general electorate — is effectively choosing most lawmakers.

“The person chosen in the primary is going to be the person that represents your district, because that is how gerrymandering works. It’s not a value judgment. It’s a total numbers game.”

In Tennessee, where the primary election effectively determines 95% of state lawmakers, the voters who participate in that election wield an extraordinary influence over the direction of the state’s government. Despite that fact, 3.1 million voters participated in the November 2024 general election, but only 650,000 participated in the primary elections that year.

The Best of Tennessee, Inc. believes closing this gap is the first step toward a more representative government.

Akers also clarified who is eligible to vote in Tennessee’s primary elections.

“These primaries are not limited to just the most hyperpartisan or hardcore Republicans or Democrats,” she said. “They are open to any Republican and any Democrat who wants to vote in their party’s primary.”

Tennessee voters can find their Election Day polling location by entering their address at bestoftn.us. Polls are open on Thursday, August 6.