Election officials prep for August county general election

Officials with the Rhea County Election Commission said recently that local election officials are ready for the upcoming Aug. 1 state and federal primary elections and the local county general election.

“The machines are set and we have poll workers lined up,” Rhea County Administrator of Election Felicia Goodman said. “Right now, we’re processing any last minute voter registrations, but we’re ready.”

Goodman said that election administrators are currently working to prepare and train workers at the various polling locations that will be established throughout the county. She also said that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming August election is Tuesday, July 2.

Early voting for the August election runs from July 12 to July 27. Early voting will be available at the historic Rhea County Courthouse during that time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting will also be available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Early voting will also take place at the Spring City Municipal Building from July 15 to July 20 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting will also be available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

On Election Day, Aug. 1, voters will cast their ballots at their respective precincts, and polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In local elections Rhea County Assessor of Property Debbie Byrd, interim road supervisor Rick Wilkey and school board members B.J. McCoy, Bimbo McCawley, Wayne Cox and Chip Pendergrass are all running unopposed. In the race for Spring City Mayor, incumbent mayor Woody Evans is facing challengers Leon Locke and Reed Smith. Thomas Beaver and Kevin W. Jenkins are looking to fill two seats on the Spring City Commission.

In the state Republican Primary, incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is facing challenger Tres Wittum, while incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais is facing Thomas E. Davis and Joshua James. In the primary for the state House, incumbent State Rep. Ron Travis is facing challenger Richard Smith.

In the state Democratic Primary, Marquita Bradshaw, Lola Denise Brown, Gloria Johnson and Civil Miller-Watkins are running for the U.S. Senate, Victoria Isabel Broderick is running for the U.S. House of Representatives and Brittany Lynn Warfel is running for the state House of Representatives.

For more information, contact the Rhea County Election Commission at (423) 775-7816.