Early polls open Friday

The time for campaign rhetoric is near its end. It's now time for the people's voices to be heard.

Early voting for the Aug. 6 election begins Friday in Warren County, giving voters two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day in a cycle highlighted by races for county executive, district attorney general, sheriff and several contested county commission and school board seats.

Voters may cast early ballots from July 17 through Aug. 1 at the Warren County Administrative Building, located at 201 Locust St. in McMinnville. Hours at that location will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Additional early voting sites will open July 27 and run through Aug. 1 at the Centertown Community Center, 92 Gilbert St., and the Morrison Ruritan Club, 121 W. Maple St. in Morrison. Both locations will follow the same daily schedule.

At the top of the local ballot is the race for county executive, where incumbent Terry Bell, the Republican nominee, is seeking another term against Democratic nominee Jean-Claude "JC" Petit Jr. and independent candidates James Ferrell and Jason McEwen.

Voters will also select a district attorney general for the 31st Judicial District. Independent candidates Matt Colvard, Randal Gilliam and Lisa Zavogiannis are seeking the office.

The race for Warren County Sheriff will feature Republican nominee Jackie Matheny Jr. against independent candidate James "Bo" Ramsey.

School Board races are also on the ballot in two districts. District 1 voters will choose between Republican nominee Monti McMahan Hillis and independent candidate Nikki Griffith Reynolds, while District 5 voters will decide between independent candidates Chris Cope and James T. Jacobs.

County Commission races will also be finalized across much of Warren County. Contested races are scheduled in Districts 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Districts 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 only have two qualified candidates, effectively deciding those seats before voting begins.

In addition to local contests, voters choosing to participate in party primaries will select nominees for governor, United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, Tennessee House of Representatives and state executive committee positions. Republican and Democratic primary ballots will be separate, and voters may participate in only one party's primary.

Tennessee does not require voters to register with a political party. Instead, voters choose which party's primary they wish to participate in when they arrive at the polls.

That means voters will not see every candidate on one ballot. Instead, voters who choose to participate in a primary will receive the county general election ballot along with either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot, depending on which party primary they select.

“My advice is, if you support candidates in primaries who are with different parties, vote for whichever candidate you think needs your vote the most to still be on the ballot in November,” Administrator of Elections Susie Davenport said.

The voter registration deadline for the election passed July 7, while requests for absentee ballots must be received by July 27. Early voting is open to any registered voter in Warren County, and election officials encourage residents to take advantage of the extended schedule.

Voters are required to bring a valid photo ID, such as a Tennessee driver's license or other state- or federally-issued identification. College IDs are not accepted.

More information, including sample ballots and additional election details, is available through the Warren County Election Commission or at GoVoteTN.gov. Additionally, sample ballots are provided below.