Vanderbilt School Republicans hosts occasion with Tennessee Secretary of State – The Vanderbilt Hustler

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett spoke to college students about voter registration and election fraud forward of the upcoming midterm elections, whereas posters promoting the occasion have been vandalized.

On Sept. 14, 2022, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett spoke at an occasion hosted by Vanderbilt School Republicans (VCR) wherein he mentioned matters such because the For the Individuals Act and claims of election fraud. 

Hargett started the occasion by saying he appreciated the variety of political views within the room. 

“One of many issues I take pleasure in listening to loads as effectively is how quite a lot of campus Democrats and Republicans are coming collectively, assembly and studying the best way to disagree with out being unpleasant,” Hargett stated. “That is additionally a good time to study extra of your points and be uncovered to quite a lot of concepts that you simply haven’t heard or seen earlier than as a result of you possibly can’t problem your concepts in case you don’t know the opposite aspect of issues.”

Throughout the occasion, a VCR member requested Hargett what his ideas have been in regards to the potential passage of election payments akin to H.R.1 (For The Individuals Act), which might change marketing campaign finance legal guidelines to scale back the affect of cash in politics and ban partisan gerrymandering. Hargett stated he believes the potential federalization of election legal guidelines by means of payments like H.R.1 is against the law. 

“They’re unconstitutional; it might have a one measurement matches all electoral system,” Hargett stated. “Washington is a mail poll state that works for individuals, however we aren’t. Our individuals like to have the ability to go into the polls and vote.” 

Hargett added that the introduction of payments like these is a “energy seize” from these of the opposing political social gathering.

“I’ve by no means seen a gaggle of individuals [Democrats] who’ve gained the election, they’ve gained the presidency, they’ve gained the US election, they gained Congress, after which they need to change the foundations about what number of elections are being run,” Hargett stated. 

After the occasion, Hargett signaled that he loved talking with the attendees and inspired them to have a look at school as a means of studying about completely different political ideologies. 

“Very respectful, good questions, and what I need to see—and I’d say this if I have been standing in entrance of a room of Republicans or Democrats—is to become involved,” Hargett stated.. “School can also be a good time to be studying about extra of your points and being uncovered to quite a lot of concepts that you simply haven’t heard or seen earlier than as a result of you possibly can’t problem your concepts in case you don’t know the opposite aspect of issues.” 

First-year Noah Jenkins stated Hargett’s political beliefs are what drew him to this occasion. 

“I’m personally conservative, and I used to be significantly within the perspective that the Secretary of State needed to convey relating to a few of the occasions that occurred through the 2020 election,” Jenkins stated, “We’re right here in school to study, clearly, and I believe the nice a part of studying isn’t solely studying a $200 textbook, however experiential studying from people who have skilled life, each the left and the fitting.”

Some college students weren’t happy with Hargett’s presence on campus. Mumma stated many posters promoting the VCR occasion throughout campus have been ripped or taken down. 

Hargett stated he was unphased by the posters selling his look being taken down. 

“I assume they need to take them and put them of their dorm room,” Hargett stated. “I believe we’ve received lots of people on each side of the aisle who would fairly villainize anyone or vilify anyone fairly than sit again and hearken to them and determine whether or not they agree with one another.

VCR hosted an occasion with Congressman Mark Green on Sept. 12, 2022. The group marketed the occasion by placing up flyers round campus. They have been then accompanied by rebuttal posters encouraging college students to go to the occasion and voice their considerations to Inexperienced.