Officials finalizing voting plans
With just one month remaining before the June 1 primaries throughout the state, local officials are working to make final arrangements for what is expected to be a busy day at the polls.
Democrat Ballot
Election officials expect a good turnout for the election, which features hotly contested gubernatorial races in both parties and a wide-open sheriff’s race.
The Democratic ballot will feature a five-man race for the sheriff’s seat that is being vacated by Sheriff Larry Plott’s retirement following 28 years in office. The candidates are Red Bay Police Investigator Mike Franklin, Phil Campbell Police Sgt. Terrell Potter, Russellville Police Capt. Shannon Oliver, former Russellville Assistant Chief Robert Pace and Russellville businessman Scott Seal.
Coroner Elzie Malone, who operates Pleasant Bay Ambulance Service, faces opposition from State Fire College instructor John James.
Democratic voters in District 2 will choose between incumbent school board member Billy Weeks and Terry Welborn.
The Democratic primary also includes the race for House District 18 which features longtime state Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow against Russellville City Councilman Jeff Masterson.
The Republican ballot features two candidates for sheriff, Leighton Police Chief Ray Hayse and former Franklin County Sheriff Glen Demastus.
Both parties’ ballots include statewide races for governor and lieutenant governor as well.
During primary elections, voters must declare if they are voting on a Democratic or Republican ballot. But, there is also one ballot that just includes three amendments.
Republican Ballot
The amendments will also be on each party’s ballot. One of those relates to a statewide issue of financing promotion programs for the propane gas industry.
The other two amendments are local issues. The first is a yes or no vote on whether residents want to allow biosolids to be used as a fertilizer substitute on county farms.
The third amendment is a yes or no vote on whether or not to implement a one-cent sales tax increase for a period of two years. All of the proceeds of that tax would be used by the county and Russellville city school systems.
Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore said that two voting precincts had to be moved for the upcoming election. The Spruce Pine voting place will move from the building located at 9324 Franklin 22 to the community center, which is at 9291 Franklin 22.
The Mountain Star voting place has been moved from the building located at 4485 Franklin 77 to the store building at 4085 Franklin 56.
With the election drawing near, officials are also working to get absentee votes taken care of.
Circuit Court Clerk Anita Scott’s office will accept absentee ballots until May 27, but she encourages anyone who can, to come by her office and vote there.
“We want to make sure that every person’s vote counts,” Scott said. “If someone comes in to vote here, there is a much less risk of something happening. Sometimes if a person does it through the mail, they may forget to have someone to witness it or to get it notarized.”
All absentee votes require two witnesses or for it to be notarized.
As with regular poll voting, voters who do so early are also required to show some form of acceptable identification.
Scott said that anyone who is homebound or absolutely cannot go into the courthouse to vote early should get their absentee ballots filled out as soon as possible.
The circuit court clerk’s office can be reached by calling 332-8861.
