July 15, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Its time to vote!
Early voting begins today (Friday, July 15) for the DeKalb County General Election; Municipal Elections in Smithville, Dowelltown, Liberty and Alexandria; and the Tennessee Republican and Democratic Primaries for state offices.
Early voting times are as follows at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Smithville: Mondays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Thursdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. until Noon. Early voting will also be held again in the western part of the county on a limited basis. The DeKalb County Fairgrounds will be the site of early voting on July 19th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on July 25 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Each early voting site is for any properly registered DeKalb County voter.
Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections explains the election process for voters.
“On August 4m there are three different types of elections held in DeKalb County- the County General Election; a State Primary for both political parties; and City Elections for those who live in one of the county’s four towns, Smithville, Dowelltown, Liberty, and Alexandria,” said Stanley.
“Let’s take a look at some simple terms or definitions to help you with the process and the ballot”.
“Candidates on a General Election Ballot have already been nominated by their respective political parties and the ballot includes any Independent candidates. As a result, on the DeKalb County General Ballot, Republican, Democrat and Independent candidates are all listed and voters can vote for a Republican in one race, for example, and a Democrat or Independent in another race,” Stanley continued.
“Candidates on the DeKalb County General Ballot are for the positions of County Mayor; County Commissioners in each of the 7 Districts; County Trustee; General Sessions Judge; Sheriff; Circuit Court Clerk; County Clerk; Register of Deeds; Road Supervisor; and School Board Member in 5 of 7 Districts. Also listed are candidates for Circuit Court Judge Part 1 and 2; Chancellor; Criminal Court Judge Part 1 and 2; District Attorney General; and District Public Defender”.
“Again, the Primary process for these candidates occurred back in May, so all candidates are listed together in August,” said Stanley.
“Voters have the option of voting ONLY in the County General Election,” Stanley explained. “They also have the option to vote in one of the State’s Primary Elections. Remember, a Primary Election is a process in which each party’s candidates are chosen to represent that party in an upcoming General Election, which in this case would be November”.
“If a voter wishes to vote in the State Primary, they must choose only one of those Primaries- Republican or Democrat”
“Candidates on the State Primary Ballots are for the offices of Governor, Congressman, State Representative, and a Committeeman and Committeewoman for each Party’s State Executive Committee. Whichever Primary you choose, ONLY that party’s candidates will be listed but keep in mind, choosing a State Primary has no impact whatsoever on how you vote in the County General Election,” Stanley explained.
“When choosing a Primary, the first page the voter will see on the voting machine is that party’s nominees. The voter will then see the County Ballot where, again, Democrats, Republicans and Independents are all listed together”.
“Again as an example, a vote can choose the State Republican Primary Ballot, but still vote for a Democrat or Independent in the County General Election,” Stanley said.
“In simple terms, they are two different types of elections and one has no impact on the other”.
“Now if you live in and are registered to vote in one of the four cities, the City Ballot will be part of your County Ballot. In the City Elections, all candidates run as Independent candidates,” Stanley explained.
“One other thing about the August Ballot, the County Ballot will also include 26 Judge Retention Questions. Voters can vote to “Replace” or “Retain” certain Judges on the State Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Criminal Court of Appeals. Those Retention Questions are listed at the end of the Ballot,” said Stanley.
“To view a copy of the ballots you can log onto dekalbelections.com; wjle.com; and check out an upcoming edition of the Smithville Review. A copy can also be obtained at the DeKalb County Election Commission Office at the Courthouse in Smithville,” said Stanley.
Candidates are reminded there is a 100-foot campaign free zone around every entrance to a voting location during voting hours.
“No political signs are allowed in the tree wells nearest the sidewalk all around the courthouse” said Stanley. “Also, vehicles with candidate signs are now allowed to park near the sidewalk (facing the courthouse).”
Voters are also reminded they are prohibited from wearing campaign material of any kind when entering the voting location.