‘It’s been steady’: More than 100 vote on first early-voting day
By Joel Davis | (joeld@thedailytimes.com)
More than 100 people had turned out for early voting by early afternoon on Friday, election officials said.
Early voting for the Aug. 2 state primary and county general election runs through July 28.
“It’s been steady.” Administrator of Elections Libby Breeding said.
Voters should remember a new law that requires them to present a state or federally issued photo ID before voting. Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.
“Come out early and vote, especially if you have a change of address because it’s so easy,” Breeding said, adding that waiting until Election Day to change an address means more paperwork and time.
State primary
On the ballot in the state primary:
• United States Senate (Republican primary) — Fred R. Anderson, Mark Twain Clemens, incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, Brenda S. Lenard, and Zach Poskevich
• U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District (Republican primary) — Nick Ciparro, John J. Duncan, Jr., and Joseph Leinweber Jr.
• Tennessee Senate, 2nd District (Republican primary) — Scott Hughes and incumbent state Sen. Doug Overbey
• Tennessee House of Representatives, 8th District (Republican primary) — Grady Caskey and incumbent state Rep. Art Swann
• Tennessee House of Representatives, 20th District (Republican primary) — Tona Monroe and incumbent state Rep. Bob Ramsey
• U.S. Senate (Democratic primary) — Mark E. Clayton, Larry Crim, Gary Gene Davis, Dave Hancock, Park Overall, T.K. Owens and Benjamin Roberts
• U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District (Democratic primary) — Troy Christopher Goodale
County general election
In the general election, there is one contested county school board race in the 2nd District, where Lisa Misosky is challenging incumbent Chris Cantrell.
Two other school board seats are uncontested, including incumbent District 4 member Trevis Gardner and District 6 nominee James E. Compton.
Other candidates without opposition include incumbent Circuit Court Judge Tammy Harrington, Assessor of Property nominee Tim Helton and incumbent County Commissioner Tab Burkhalter.
City elections
Alcoa voters will be able to cast ballots on a sales tax referendum. The question is to increase the city sales tax by 0.5 percent.
In Friendsville, voters are to select two city commission members, but only one candidate — Mike Bailey — is on the ballot. Voters can write in other selections.
Seven candidates are running for three seats on Townsend city commission, including Tim Byrd, Travis Grant, Becky Headrick, William S. Irby III, Jackie Suttles, Karen Napier Vananda and David O. Wietlisbach.
Judicial retention
The ballot also asks voters to vote yes or no on retaining two state Court of Criminal Appeals judges, Jeffrey S. Bivins, Middle Division; and Roger A. Page, Western Division.
