EARLY VOTING* When: Wednesday-April 29. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays* Where: Registered voters can vote at any early voting location — Election Commission Office, 155 Broad Street NW; Bradley Square Mall in the old Game Room, 200 Sgt. Paul Huff Parkway NW; Blythe-Bower School, inside small gymnasium, 604 20th St.* What to bring: Voter registration card or another form of identification such as a driver’s license.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Early voting begins Wednesday in counties across Tennessee for local political party primaries.
The election machines to be used at Bradley County locations were tested Friday by Joe Reed of Roach & Reed P.C. Mr. Reed approved the machines, a first step to holding any election.
Twelve machines will be used at three locations in Cleveland. Representatives from each political party were present Friday and picked one machine each to be checked.
After checking each machine to be sure nothing was recorded on them, the machines were locked. Once they are in place at the early voting locations, the machines will be rechecked, Mr. Reed said.
Winners of the May 4 party primaries will face off in the August general election. August also will be primary election time for state and national offices. Those will be decided between the party candidates in November.
Early voting and mail are the two ways a registered Tennessee voter may vote before election day. Absentee voting by mail is limited by law, including the elderly and people who are out of the county on election day, Tennessee Election Commission spokesman Blake Fontenay said.
In Marion County, the local primaries are being held while allegations are pending against former county Elections Administrator Holly Henegar, who resigned last week. An office employee let go in January filed the complaint in February, alleging irregularities in the office, according to Mark Goins, state coordinator of elections.
The Tennessee Election Commission holds its meeting April 20 in Nashville. On that agenda, the commission could schedule a May 18 hearing on accusations against Ms. Henegar.
Two Democrats and two Republicans are seeking the Marion County mayoral nomination in their primaries. Mayor Howell Moss is not seeking re-election to the job he has held for 20 years. David Kirk, longtime county trustee, and Joseph M. Payne are seeking the Democratic nomination. Republican candidates are Russ Hood and Gary Ellis.
In Rhea County, the August race for sheriff already is drawing attention. Neither of the party candidates, Democrat Mike Neal and Republican Mike Sneed, are opposed. Also on the August ballot will be independent Jerry Lawrence.
Most campaign attention in Bradley County has been on the GOP primary for county mayor, where incumbent D. Gary Davis faces challenges from County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery and Chris Weir for the nomination. On the Democratic ballot, Paul Krisle is unopposed for the nomination.
In the two races for nomination for sheriff, Steve Lawson is unopposed for the Democrats.
Republican candidates for the sheriff nomination are Emary “Chip” Bryant, Ralph Creel, James R. “Jim” Ruth and Jimmy Smith.
All five candidates are career law enforcement officers.
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