NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coalfield High School earned the Secretary of State's Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award by registering 100% of the eligible students who are 18 or older to vote and Wartburg Central High School earned the Silver Level Award by registering 85% of the eligible students to vote.

"I commend Coalfield High School for reaching 100% voter registration and Wartburg Central High School for reaching 85% voter registration," said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. "I appreciate the Morgan County Election Commission and the students, faculty and staff of each of these schools helping us increase voter registration in Morgan County."

The Secretary of State's office launched the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program for the 2021-2022 school year to promote voter registration among Tennessee high school students. High schools that register 100% of the eligible students earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. High schools that register at least 85% of the eligible students earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award.

“I am very proud of our schools and the profound efforts of our principals, teachers and students toward this endeavor and accomplishments in achieving these goals,” said Morgan County Administrator of Elections Tim Sweat. “I thank all involved and look forward to working toward greater numbers next year.” 

All Tennessee public, charter or private school or home school association can participate in the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program. This year 18 Tennessee high schools in 12 counties earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. Eighteen high schools representing 13 counties earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award.

“Exercising one's right to vote is essential to the survival of our democracy,” said Coalfield High School Principal Matt Murphy. “We are excited to see that our students are taking the responsibility of ensuring that our government remains strong so seriously. We are proud of the work that Dalton Roberts does in teaching our students that they have the right to have their voices heard with their vote.”

The award is named in honor of renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley who helped lead the successful effort to get the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to give women the right to vote.

The Anne Dallas Dudley Award is part of the Secretary of State's civics engagement initiative to increase voter registration in Tennessee and prepare students to be actively engaged citizens. For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Award and other civic engagement efforts from the Tennessee Department of State, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.