Several local campaigns have recently raised questions to #TheMegaBulllhornofTruth about a Voter Guide being distributed by a local church.
A number of candidates who were not rated have shared that they never received a survey to participate. After looking into the matter, it appears the guide originates from a one-person website.
The website publishes both California and Tennessee Voter Guides. In Tennessee, only 3 of the state’s 95 counties currently have a Voter Guide: Knox, Loudon, and Williamson Counties.
In Knox County, there are 52 candidates — Republican and Democrat — competing for 18 offices in the May 5 Primary and August 6 General Election. Of those 52 candidates, only 10 were rated in the guide.
The website warns that individuals with Gmail or Apple-based email addresses may not receive emails due to Gmail and Apple based
Notably, in the Knox County School Board races, where 15 candidates are competing for 5 seats, only one candidate received a rating.
The questionnaire for School Board candidates included the following questions:
- What is your name and what office are you running for?
- What are the three (3) most pressing issues facing the school district?
Please prioritize them. What if anything do you plan to do about them if you are elected to the position of governing board member? What specific promises will you make to the voters in order to be elected?(1)
(2)
(3) - What are your thoughts regarding allowing students to use restrooms or locker rooms based on their perceived sex?
- What can we do about the dropout problem in our schools?
- Do you favor or oppose the expansion of charter schools within the school district? Why or why not?
Do you favor or oppose the use of a voucher system within the public school system? Why or Why not? - Do you believe there is a place for celebrations of religious holidays and singing religious music in holiday programs? What would you support and allow and what should be excluded from the school?
- When teaching science, should alternatives to evolution (such as Intelligent Design) be taught in public schools? Should individual instructors be given leeway to teach both points of view? Or should only the accepted theories of evolution be taught without mentioning the scientific obiections to the theory?
- Do you favor or oppose new taxes, fees or bonds?
- Will you support or oppose those choosing homeschooling?
- What national politician do you admire the most and why?
- What does Critical Race Theory mean to you and what are your thoughts about the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Public School?
- What are your thoughts about transgender boys playing in girls’ sports and dressing in girls’ locker rooms?
- Do you support school choice internally?
- How should school choices be made?
- What type of public input should parents and taxpayers have?
- Do you believe in absolute truth? Why or Why not? If you believe in absolute truth, what is the source of absolute truth? if you do not believe in absolute truth, how do you determine what is true?
The website does note: “We do not take money from any candidate for their endorsement. For over 20 years – we never have.”
“No corporations, political party, or group supports our research or efforts.”
