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New voting machines make debut
Super Tuesday was in full force across America Tuesday. Voting machine operator Richard Abadie was one of the poll workers at Tennessee State University (TSU) Nursery Research Center precinct 4-1 in McMinnville.
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Yesterday was Super Tuesday, the single biggest set of elections of the presidential primary season.  Voters here in Warren County had to brave the rains for the privilege of voting in the Presidential Preference Primary for both Republicans and Democrats. They were also introduced to the brand new voting machines.

Susie Davenport, the Administrator of Elections in Warren County, and her staff were busy at their headquarters decked out in purple team shirts. Rain poured throughout the county as 20 precincts  opened at 8 a.m. Polls were scheduled to close at 7 p.m.

The new voting machines were ready to go for their first time in action. Voting machine operator Richard Abadie was up bright and early at the TSU Nursery Research Precinct 4-1. He patiently showed voters how to use the new, improved machine.  

Davenport says this year’s early voting turnout was low and she was hopeful for a larger turnout yesterday.

In addition, yellow warning posters were up to remind voters not to vote for a different party with the intention of swinging election results. 

While the law has been in place since the seventies, having the sign posted is new and has stirred some controversy statewide as an unnecessary deterrence to voting in a state where the voters are already reluctant to get out and be heard.

Nationwide, votes are being gathered in 16 states and one territory. More than a third of the delegates will be assigned to determine the Republican nominee for president. 

For Warren County elections, there was only one primary for Democrats, the property assessor primary. There were no candidates, only write-ins. Beth Martin, incumbent, will be running as an independent. The Republicans chose Jeff T. McGee by caucus in November. That election will be Aug. 1. Super Tuesday results were not available at press time.

In August, for the first time, school board members will be required to declare party affiliation. There are three seats up in Warren County this year for re-election. Warren County is one of only two regions in the state that now require school board members to reveal their political party.