Democrats in Carter County will head to the polls on May 1, 2018, to vote in a party primary election for county offices.

Carter County Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris confirmed she had received a call for a primary election from the Carter County Democratic Party.

In July, Harris mailed letters to Democratic Party Chairwoman Kristi Carr and Carter County Republic Party Chairman Rusty Barnett regarding what the parties must do to call for a primary election and what steps the party would need to take if they preferred to nominate candidates through a caucus rather than primary.

Harris received official notice from the Carter County Democratic Party on August 1 informing her the party wanted to hold a primary election.

“This letter is to inform you that the Executive Committee of Carter County hereby directs the Democratic County Primary to be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018,” the letter states.

Harris received a similar letter from Barnett in July informing her the Carter County Republican Party was also calling for a primary election.

The following county offices will appear on the Republican Primary ballot in May 2018: Carter County Mayor, Carter County Sheriff, County Court Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, County Trustee, Register of Deeds, Road Superintendent, three County Commissioner seats for each of the county’s eight districts, and two constable positions for each of the county’s eight districts.

Residents interested in being candidates for either the Democratic or Republican Primary can pick up their candidate application packets at the Carter County Election Commission office beginning on Nov. 17, 2017. Each candidate, regardless of party affiliation, must return a petition with at least 25 valid signatures of registered voters in order to qualify as a candidate. Those individuals running for a county-wide office can obtain signatures from voters living anywhere within the county. Those seeking a district specific office — County Commissioner and Constable — must obtain signatures from voters living within their specific district.

The prospective candidates must return their paperwork to the Carter County Election Commission by noon on Feb. 15, 2018, to qualify.

For more information regarding the primary elections, voter registration, or other election questions, contact the Carter County Election Commission at 423-542-1822 or stop by their office, which is located at 116 Holston Ave., near the Carter County Health Department.