ROSSVILLE – Four candidates will battle for ballots in Rossville today, but voters likely will be hard to come by.
Maxine Bain, Dana Blevins, Joyce Wall and Charles Dunn will be on the ballot in the special election to replace Councilman Nathan Bain. Bain died July 21 after battling cancer.
Maxine Bain, the late candidate’s wife, could be a sentimental favorite, while Dunn, a former police chief, and Wall, a former mayoral candidate, could benefit from name recognition. Blevins is a Chattem employee.
Election superintendent Russanna Jenkins said she received only 19 early or absentee ballots, which is very low compared to previous elections.
“Usually if you have a low number in early voting you have a low turnout,” she said.
Councilman Teddy Harris said he initially predicted about 150 votes would be cast, but he’s not sure if there will be even that many.
“Nobody knows about it,” Harris said.
The candidates put out signs last weekend, he said.
When Bain last ran with opposition in 2005, he received 88 of 217 votes, according to Walker County records.
Jenkins doesn’t believe this election’s totals will be as high.
“It’s hard to say, but I really doubt it,” she said.
Contact Andy Johns at ajohns@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6324.