Early voting for the March 1 primaries in DeKalb County begins today, and will continue through Feb. 23.
DeKalb Countians will be able to vote early Mondays through Saturdays until Tuesday, February 23, except for Feb. 15, when the election commission office will be closed for Presidents Day. All Early Voting in DeKalb County will be at the Election Commission Office on the first floor of the courthouse (basement) during the following times:
• Mondays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturdays 9 a.m. to Noon.
Voting in the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primaries and the DeKalb County Democratic Primary will take place on March 1 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. countywide.
Both Democrats and Republicans will cast ballots for their party’s nominee for president on March 1, and local voters will choose nominees for Assessor of Property and Constable in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary. While all the Democratic candidates on the ballot are unopposed in the primary, some will face opposition in the general election in August.
Voters must choose whether they will vote Democrat or Republican in the presidential primary, and those who choose to vote in the Republican primary may not vote in the Democratic primary, and vice-versa.
"We know sometimes voters get confused about the primary system and that’s why it is imperative that voters study both ballots and have a decision made when they arrive at the polls. A copy of the ballots can be found at the DeKalb County Election Commission website and at www.wjle.com or in last week’s edition of the Smithville Review," said Stanley.
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Dennis Stanley would like to remind voters who may have moved since voting last to make certain that their address correct at the election commission.
"Voters who have moved since they last voted may have to vote at a different location on March 1. If your address has changed and our office has not been notified, you will have paperwork to fill out on election day, and you may have to go to a different polling place to vote." Stanley said.
Voters must also present a valid photo identification at the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government or the federal government will be recognized, even if they are expired. College student IDs will not be accepted.
Stanley also reminds that a recent law prohibits the use of cell phones at the polls. "In an effort to create a pleasant, non-disruptive and orderly atmosphere without undue delays for all voters, the legislature passed a new law, effective this month, concerning using cell phones in the polling place. The law prohibits using mobile electronic or communication devices by voters for telephone conversations, recording or taking photographs or videos while inside the polling place. The law also requires the silencing of cell phones," Stanley shared.
The election commissioner also said voters should be aware of a new phone application to help them through the process.
"The Tennessee Division of Elections has created an "app" called GoVoteTn which contains a lot of voting information individualized for each voter," the commissioner informed. "Voters will be able to access this ‘app’ or others if needed for informational purposes, but phone conversations are not allowed, the phones must be silenced, and any election content on the phone cannot be shown to other voters. This "app" is a great tool to use in order to be prepared when you step into the voting booth. When voters are unprepared, they slow down the entire voting process for all voters and may have their
In other election news, four candidates for Smithville alderman have picked up petitions to qualify for the August election.
Incumbents Danny Washer, Shawn Jacobs, and Josh Miller were joined by Gary Durham in picking up the paperwork necessary to join the race for alderman. Three four-year aldermanic seats will be up for grabs on Aug. 4. Those positions are currently held by Miller, Jacobs and Washer.
The qualifying deadline for the Smithville race is noon on April 7.
A mayor and two aldermen will be chosen in Dowelltown, and Liberty voters will cast ballots for four aldermen on Aug. 4 as well. Potential candidates who have picked up qualifying paperwork for those races include:
• Pam Redmon- for Mayor of Dowelltown
• Jason Ray- for Liberty Alderman (4 year term)
• Eddie Dwayne Blair- for Liberty Alderman (4 year term)
• J.D. Bratten for Liberty Alderman- (1 year term)
The qualifying deadline for these races is noon on April 7 as well.
School board seats in three districts will also be up for election on August 4. Qualifying petitions have been issued to the following in those races:
• Kate Miller- 4th district
• Barry Mabe- 5th district
• W.J. (Dub) Evins, III- 5th district
• Doug Stephens- 6th district.
The qualifying deadline for these races is also noon on April 7.
Party nominees for 40th and 46th District State Representative will also be chosen on August 4. The seats are currently held by Mark Pody and Terri Lynn Weaver. Again, the qualifying deadline is at noon on April 7.
