Four local seats will be determined Thursday, along with several state and federal primaries, as voters head to sanitized polls to cast their ballot in a variety of races.
“We will be handing out packets with gloves, an ink pen, and an ‘I Voted’ sticker just like we did for early voting,” said election administrator Susie Davenport. “We’re asking everyone to wear a face covering to help keep everyone safe, the voters and the poll workers, but it’s not a requirement.”
Poll workers will be asking the standard COVID questions as people arrive to vote. Do you have a fever over 100.4? Have you been confirmed as having COVID? Have you been exposed to anyone who does have COVID?
Davenport says anyone who answers yes to any of these questions will be allowed to vote at Warren County Administrative Offices in an emergency setting.
“We’re not going to keep anyone from voting,” said Davenport. “If they have COVID symptoms, they can still vote at the administrative building in a very protective environment.”
Warren County finished the early voting period with 3,169 residents casting their ballots. Despite all the coronavirus concerns, that’s only down 98 people from the same election four years ago.
On the local level, the lone countywide race pits incumbent Beth Martin against Jeff T. McGee for the office of Warren County Property Assessor.
Two seats on the School Board will be decided. Incumbent Tanya Bess is facing opposition from Kenneth L. Rogers in the 4th District, while incumbent Teddy B. Jones is being challenged by Tommy Culwell in the 6th District.
One seat on the Warren County Commission is up for grabs due to a resignation in the 3rd District. In that race, Kasey Owens and Bill Martin are vying for the seat.
On the statewide level, the primaries to be decided are in the Tennessee House of Representatives. In the 43rd District, incumbent Paul Sherrell is facing a challenge from Jerry Lowery and Bobby Robinson in the Republican Primary.
In the 47th District, incumbent Rush Bricken is opposed by Ronnie E. Holden in the Republican Primary.
There are also contested primaries for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Lamar Alexander and the 4th District U.S. House of Representatives seat.
For any election-related question, call 473-5834.
