LISA HOBBS – News Editor
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election runs from Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Thursday, Oct. 29.
Any registered voter may vote early, for any reason or none. Early voting is open to any registered voter purely for convenience.
Early voting locations and hours: County Administration Building’s Early Voting Room - 201 Locust Street - on all days. During the last seven days of the early voting cycle, there will be two satellite locations: Centertown Community Center - 92 Gilbert Street - and Morrison Ruritan Club - 121 West Maple Street. All location hours: Mondays (11 a.m. - 8 p.m.); Tuesday through Fridays (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.); Saturdays (9 a.m. - 12 noon)
On the ballot:
Governor – Republican Party Nominee Marsha Blackburn, Democratic Party Nominee Jerri Green, and Independent Candidates Misam Abidi, Dean Brewer, Ray Brown, David Hatley, Wendell Jackson, Charles Van Morgan, Eddie Lee Murphy, Lauren Pinkston, Victor L. Scoggin, Dave Seeman, Karl Knox Smithson, L. Webb Taylor and Robert C. Vick.
United States Senate – Republican Party Nominee Bill Hagerty, Democratic Party Nominee Marquita Bradshaw and Independent Candidates Tharon Chandler, Andrew Gerena, Jeremy Dean Hearn, Robert Jones, James William Macon III, Yoshi D. Matthews, David Sutman, Jr., and Catherine Barcel “Barcy” Whitson.
United States House of Representatives in District 4 – Republican Party Nominee Scott DesJarlais, Democratic Party Nominee Victoria Broderick, and Independent Candidates Jacob Kristopher Anders and Clay Faircloth.
Tennessee House of Representatives District 43 – Republican Party Nominee Paul Sherrell and Democratic Party Nominee Samantha Petit.
No candidates qualified for Constable District 3 or Constable District 5.
City of McMinnville Aldermen – Independent Candidates Keri Curtis Morton, Deitra Dunlap, Kimber Cantrell, Sean Logsdon and Emily Stefanick.
Town of Morrison Mayor – Independent Candidate Donald L. Miller.
Town of Morrison Aldermen – Independent Candidate Jeannine Miller.
Proposed amendments:
· Constitutional Amendment #1 – This amendment changes Article I, section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution by allowing a court to hold a defendant without bail before trial when that defendant is accused of: an offense punishable by the death penalty, an act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any crime for which a convicted person would be required to serve eighty-five percent of their sentence. This amendment requires courts to state on the record the reasons for their decision to grant or deny bail in those cases.
· Constitutional Amendment #2 – This amendment adds text to Article II, section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution that prohibits the Legislature from imposing a State property tax on real, personal, or mixed property.
· Constitutional Amendment #3 – This amendment changes Article I, section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution by clarifying existing rights for crime victims and adding new rights. The amendment gives victims new rights: to fair treatment; to be informed about and participate in the parole process; to be protected from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; to be informed of the minimum sentence the convicted criminal will serve, as well as their scheduled release date; and to have their safety, their family’s safety, and the public’s safety taken into account before any decision is made to release the convicted criminal. The amendment also maintains or clarifies victims’ existing rights: to be informed about legal proceedings involving the accused or convicted criminal; to be present at public criminal proceedings; to be informed of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted criminal; to talk to prosecutors; to make statements about conviction, sentencing, or release of the accused person; to a speedy resolution of the case; to restitution from the convicted criminal; and to be informed of their rights. The amendment does not restrict the powers of prosecutors or courts and does not create a cause of action or claim for damages against the State of Tennessee.
A “yes” vote is a vote to amend the Constitution and adopt the language in the proposed amendment, while a “no” vote is a vote to keep the current language in the Constitution unchanged.
Early voting is closed on county recognized holidays.