thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Early voting begins Friday in the Aug. 7 election with three contested races stirring the most interest among voters.

Voters can cast early ballots until Aug. 2, according to Libby Breeding. Blount County administrator of elections.

Early voting stations are located at the election commission office at the courthouse and at Everett Recreational Center at 318 S. Everett High Road, Maryville, In addition, there will be a satellite location at Pellissippi State Technical Community College at 1010 Middlesettlements Road, Alcoa.

Hours at the courthouse will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The hours at Everett will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; there will be no Saturday hours at Everett or Pellissippi. Hours at Pellissippi will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Three contested races have generated the most advertising and media coverage:

The 8th District State Senate race pits incumbent Sen. Raymond Finney against 20th District state Rep. Doug Overbey in the state Republican Primary. Since there is no Democrat running, the winner of the primary will win the seat in the November general election, barring a major write-in vote. The seat represents both Blount and Sevier counties. Jim Bishop of Sevier County is also on the ballot.

The battle for Overbey's 20th District seat among four Republicans, including Steve Hargis, Jim Melton, Tona Monroe-Bell and Bob Ramsey. There is no Democratic candidate, so the winner of the primary will most likely claim the seat in November. The western part of Blount County comprises the 20th District.

The general election race for Division II Circuit Court judge involving Sessions Court Judge David Duggan, a Republican, and Circuit Court Judge Mike Meares, a Democrat. Meares currently holds the seat because of an appointment by the governor.

The only other contested race in the general election is the 6th District school board seat being vacated by William "Bootie" Miller. Patricia Ann Bell and Brad K. Long are seeking the office. Precincts in the 6th District include Carpenters, Fairview -- City and County, Lanier and William Blount Middle. In the state primaries, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has no opposition in the Republican primary, while six Democrats are vying for the opportunity to oppose him in the general election, including Mark E. Clayton, Gary G. Davis, Kenneth Eaton, Leonard D. Ladner, Mike Padgett and Robert D. Tuke. In the 2nd District House of Representatives race, incumbent John J. Duncan Jr. is unopposed in the Republican primary. On the Democrat side, David Ryan Hancoke and Bob Scott are competing for the right to oppose Duncan in November.

Incumbent 8th District state Rep. Joe McCord, a Republican, has no opposition. Two other school board races, city commission races in Townsend and Friendsville, and County Property Assessor Mike Morton are also unopposed.

In addition, voters are asked to vote yes or now on whether to retain two state Supreme Court judges, three Court of Appeals judges and two Court of Criminal Appeals judges.

To read an official sample ballot, log on to www.thedailytimes.com.