In an effort to inspire others to become involved in the election process, 91.9 WUOT-FM and UT's Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy have created a new radio series titled "My Life. My Vote."

The month-long radio series is based on eight East Tennesseeans whose dedication to voting in the 2008 election can be credited to their unique life experiences.

The radio station will air their stories throughout October on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the National Public Radio news programs "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered."

"Sometimes we take our right to vote for granted," Matt Shafer Powell, WUOT's news director and producer of the series, said. "Each person I interviewed for this series has a compelling reason to take that right seriously. They come from different walks of life, different situations - even different countries - but the common bond they share is a profound appreciation for the democratic process."

The first story of the series, which aired Oct. 7, focused on U.S. citizen Marvin Hatcher's excitement to participate in this year's election after losing his right to vote due to committing a felony in the past.

More than one million felons in the U.S. have lost their ability to vote, Powell said. Convicted felons must undergo a rigorous reinstatement process to be able to vote again.

Hatcher has finished all the requirements and will be voting for the first time in the 2008 election.

Hatcher feels that his voter registration card represents another step on his journey towards respectability as a property owner and taxpayer.

His success story is the first of the series of inspirational stories that hopes to remind the Knoxville community and surrounding areas that our right to vote is a privilege that should not be taken for granted.