The Sequatchie County August General Election and State Primary is drawing near, and Election Administrator Linda Tate said voters should be prepared. Early voting may be a helpful option for those heading to the polls, noted Tate.

Early voting is offered July 16 through 31 for voters. With polls open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Sequatchie County Election Commission Office off of Cherry Street.

“This can be very helpful to residents, due to the fact the 127 Yard Sale will begin on Election Day, August 5,” said Tate. “People might want to consider voting early to avoid the traffic.”

“Be sure to bring some identification. Make sure it has your signature on it,” she said. “If a voter registered by mail, they have to provide some sort of identification other than the mail to come in and vote.”

Tate stressed the importance of proper identification, especially for those residents who may be filing an address change during the voting process.

The election office will be National Health Care (NHC) on Dell Trail on Wednesday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. for voting.

“We look forward to seeing everybody,” said Tate.

In the county election, incumbent County Executive Michael Hudson faces opposition from Jeffrey S. Mackey and D. Keith Cartwright.

Voters will be selecting two candidates in each county commission district. The top two vote getters in each district will serve that district as commissioners.

For the District 1 seats of the Sequatchie County Commission, incumbents Barry J. Smith and Gary L. Williams are facing opposition from David Earl Bishop, Richard E. Harvey, Barnett “Barney” D. Slatton.

Incumbents Brian Farley and Don E. Walker are opposed by Chuck Priputin for the District 2 seats of the commission.

Incumbent Claude C. Lewis is challenged in District 3 by Marsha Hamblen Carr and John Ross Lusk.

Incumbents William Bryan Harmon and Ronald Land are running unopposed for District 4 of the commission.

Incumbents Charles Austin Easterly and Paul D. Powell are running against Denis J. Kell for the two District 5 seats.

David L. Cartwright is running to retain his seat as a District 6 commissioner against Jeff Barger, Jerry G. Layne and Rodney W. Smith.

Incumbent Herman Ray Hobbs, and Clint Huth are the only candidates running for District 7.

Incumbents Willard C. Zimmerman and Tommy Johnson are running unopposed for their respective District 8 seats on the commission.

Incumbent Ronnie Hitchcock is being challenged for his position as Sheriff by Thomas Mahoney and Randy Phillips.

Incumbent Larry S. Lockhart is running unopposed for the position of County Trustee.

Incumbent Karen Millsaps is the only candidate running for the position of Circuit Court Clerk.

Incumbent Charlotte Cagle had no opposition qualify to run against her as County Clerk.

Connie E. Green is running unopposed to retain her position as Register of Deeds.

Incumbent Tommy Sims faces no opposition for the seat of County Road Superintendent.

Incumbent school board members running unopposed are Shelli K. Dodson, District 2; Grover Lee Skyles, District 4; and W.O. Johnson, District 8.

Running unopposed for the District 6 seat of the Sequatchie County School board is Christy L. Vandergriff.

Running unopposed as constables are David Swanner, District 1; Tommy Hickey, District 3; Lee Skyles, District 4; Bobby Henry, District 5; Cecil Nunley, District 7; and David E. Broome, District 8.

A.L. Bice, Craig Camp and James D. Hixson II are running for Constable of District 2.

In the state primary, Republicans Bill Haslam, Joe Kirkpatrick, Basil Marceaux, Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp are vying to represent their party in the Governor’s race. Democrat Mike McWherter is running unopposed in the primary.

Incumbent Bill Harmon [D] is the only qualifier running for the District 37 seat of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Jack Bailey, Scott Desjarlais, Kent Greenough, Ronald L. Harwell, and Donald “Don” Strong are seeking to be the Republican Party’s candidate for United States House of Representatives for the 4^th Congressional District. The winner will face incumbent Lincoln Davis [D] in November.

Seeking to represent the Republican Party as State Executive Committeeman in the 4^th Senatorial District are Bill Green and Charles Lynn Sebourn. Paul Davis and Steve Roller are vying to represent the Democratic Party.

Janice Boling and Iva Michele Russell are seeking to be the Republican Party’s State Executive Committeewoman for the 4^th Senatorial District. Democrat Betty N. Fraley is unopposed and will face the winning Republican candidate in November.