Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett joins the DeKalb County Election Commission in reminding citizens that September is National Voter Registration Month.  Secretary Hargett is working with county election officials to make eligible voters aware of registration deadlines and requirements, as well as encouraging already registered voters to update their current registration if they have recently changed their address.
“It is important for individuals to register to vote, but it is equally important for voters to verify that their registrations are up to date,” said DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.  “If you have moved, now is a great time to update your address.”
In a concerted effort to remind eligible voters to register or update their voting information before deadlines pass, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has also declared Sept. 24 as National Voter Registration Day.  The goal is to encourage voter participation and increase awareness of state requirements and deadlines for voting.
“The right to vote should never be taken for granted,” said Hargett, who is also president of NASS.  “I encourage all eligible U.S. citizens to register if they haven’t already.”
For more information on voter registration options and deadlines in Tennessee, as well as to check your current registration status, visit GoVoteTN.com.
Meanwhile, with the first election of 2014 still months away, Stanley said potential candidates have already begun to ask questions about various offices.
“We have already had people ask what they need to do to become a candidate,” Stanley said. “Even though it is a little bit early, certain issues could come into play now, depending on the circumstances.”
It is likely a primary election will be called by one of the local political parties for May 6, 2014.
As a result, the qualifying deadline for all candidates will be at noon on Feb. 20, 2014. Petitions will be available Nov. 22 of this year.
“Since petitions are not available until Nov. 22, potential candidates may wonder how they can declare or announce that they are running before November,” Stanley said.  “Individuals may be announced candidates and may begin soliciting campaign funds at any time before the election. That is a political strategy issue and each candidate must make that decision.
“However, before a candidate raises or spends money, the candidate needs to file an ‘Appointment of Political Treasurer’ with the election commission,” Stanley said.
This form is available at  http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/forms/ss-1120.pdf, or can be obtained at the election commission office.
“You can print it out online and bring it to us,” Stanley informed. “We must have the original, so a fax or email will not work.
“You may file the ‘Appointment of Political Treasurer’ at any time, but it must be filed before you raise or spend money,” Stanley continued. “The Registry of Election Finance has said that ‘incidental’ expenses while you are thinking about running do not count. There are different regulations for judicial candidates, so please ask us before soliciting campaign funds.”
Once a candidate files an Appointment of Treasurer form, the candidate is required to file periodic disclosure reports. The reports are to be filed quarterly during the election year and semi-annually in either the year(s) before or after.
Additionally, a report is due 10 days before any election. The report dates can be found at  http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/cand/cand_filing.htm, or you can obtain a copy at the local election office.
“The State Registry of Election Financial (615-741-7959 or http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/contact.htm) has jurisdiction over election financial issues,” Stanley said. “The DeKalb County Election Commission merely files the reports and makes them available to the public. The state office can answer any question you have about financial reports or requirements.”

More information about the petition process, including additional deadlines for road superintendent and sheriff candidates, can be obtained at the election commission office on the first floor of the courthouse, or by logging on to www.dekalbelections.com.