Candidate Forum scheduled March 4; Harris clarifies rules on tallying of votes

Published 4:04 pm Thursday, February 22, 2024

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The Carter County Candidate Forum is scheduled March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bonnie Kate Theater.
This free informational event is designed to inform local citizens about local candidates, and to give the candidates an opportunity to meet and talk with the public.
Candidates invited to attend are those running for the offices of school board, assessor of property, and House of Representative.
Early voting in Tennessee and Carter County began February 14, and over 500 voters had voted the first two days of early voting.
Along with the presidential preference and delegates, Carter County residents can also vote for District 6 commissioner, road superintendent, school board members for Districts 1, 4, 6, and 8, assessor of property, and constable for District 2.
In Carter County, in-person early voting only takes place at the election commission office. On Election Day, voters need to vote in their district’s polling location.
Early voting ends on Feb. 27 for the upcoming March 5 election. Feb. 27 is also the last day to request an absentee ballot as well.
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.
Early voting ends February 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A note from Tracy Harris, Administration of Carter County Elections, said , “Tally cards for the Early Voting Machines will be secured by locks and seals by two of the Election Commissioners representing their political party on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.”
Harris in a notice to the STAR said: “The Tennessee Code provides that each of the Chairpersons of the County Executive Committees of the political parties be notified when and where the early voting machines will be tallied. Each county executive committee chair, county primary board chair, and candidates may be present or may designate a representative who may be present when the results are tallied and the tally cards are locked and sealed by two Election Commissioners, one representing each party, from the electronic voting machines used during Early Voting. The tally cards will be locked and sealed in a ballot box and deposited in the Election Commission’s secured locked machine room. Each Election Commissioner will retain their individual locks key until Election Day.
“In no event may the votes for any candidate be totaled until after the polls in the county are closed on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5, 2024.”

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