Early voting underway for Aug. 2 election
Published 3:51 pm Friday, July 13, 2018
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye The first voter in line Friday morning casts his ballot during early voting.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye County Commission candidate Sonja Culler, left, reviews zero tapes with Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris during machine inspection before the polls opened for early voting on Friday.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Deputy Administrator of Elections Janet Brumit activates a voting machine and prints a zero tape to show no vote have been cast on the machine.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Election Commission member Ramon Sanchez-Vinas review zero tapes during voting machine inspection Friday morning.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Before the polls opened for voting Friday morning each machine was inspected and a zero tape printed showing no votes had been cast on the machines.
Early voting kicked off Friday morning with lots of local residents turning out to cast their ballots.
Before the polls opened to voters on Friday morning, election officials welcomed in members of the public, candidates, and party officials to inspect the voting machines to ensure they are in proper order and no votes had been cast on the machines. Two local candidates — Sonja Culler who is seeking election to the County Commission and Steve Stevenson who is seeking election to the office of Sheriff — participated in the machine inspection Friday morning.
For the inspections, Carter County Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris and her staff activated all of the voting machines to be used for early voting, checked to verify no votes had been cast, and then printed “zero tapes” that list every office on the ballot along with vote totals for that race.
Those inspecting the machines were allowed to witness the activation and inspect the zero tapes.
Members of the Carter County Election Commission were on hand to oversee the machine inspection and set up. One Election Commission member representing each of the two major political parties — Republican and Democrat — signed off on each of the machines’ zero tapes.
When the polls opened at 9 a.m. a line of voters stood ready lining the hallway of the Election Office.
A brief glitch with a shorted out power supply cord caused a minor delay Friday morning, but the issue was quickly corrected when election officials replaced the power cord.
Early voting will continue through July 28 with polls open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
The ballot for this election is a bit longer than what voters saw in the May 1 County Primary. This ballot features the County General Election as well as the State Primary and Federal Primary elections. A longer ballot could lead to longer lines or wait times at the polls on Election Day according to election officials.
“I recommend anyone who is able to participate in early voting take advantage of the chance to vote early so they can avoid the lines on Election Day,” Harris said.
Those voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, as well as photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government or the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
State law requires polling locations and the area within a 100-foot boundary surrounding each entrance remain campaign-free zones, Harris said. Tennessee law prohibits the display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot in these areas.
Early voting is held at the Carter County Election Commission Office, located at 116 Holston Avenue, next to the Carter County Health Department. Overflow parking for early voting is located in the First Baptist Church parking lot on the corner of Holston Avenue and East G Street. Harris said the church has asked that no campaign signs be placed on the church property and no vehicles bearing political signs be parked in their lot.
For more information on early voting or the August 2 election, contact the Election Commission Office at 423-542-1822.
To see a sample ballot for the August 2 election click here: August 2, 2018 Sample Ballot
