Early voting starts next week for city primary
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
A week from tomorrow, Tuesday, August 9, early voting opens for Knoxville’s Primary Election and will continue through August 24. August 29 is the election day and candidates for city mayor, four city council seats, and municipal judge will be on the ballot.
While Knoxville city elections are non-partisan the affiliation of most of the candidates is common knowledge. Two years ago, Knox County Republicans pushed to bring party politics into the contests but failed and all the incumbents were re-elected. That type of partisan push hasn’t been very apparent in the upcoming primary.
The General Election is set for November 2 where the top two candidates in each category will face off and be selected. Oddly enough only one race is already decided: Councilman Charles Thomas, representing North Knoxville’s District 5, is unopposed for re-election, barring a write-in candidate win.
In the mayor’s race, the Knox County Election Commission says that if one candidate receives a majority of all votes cast in the primary they will go to be elected. In that race incumbent Indya Kincannon faces Constance Every, R. C. Lawhorn and Jeff Talman.
In the three at-large council races, the top two candidates will go on to the General Election. All voters in the city will be eligible to vote in the races for the at-large seats.
Council at-large Seat A candidates include incumbent Lynne Fugate, Cameron Brooks and Darin Worsham.
Seat B will have a new council member. Debbie Helsley and R. Bentley Marlow are vying for that seat. Councilwoman Janet Testerman chose not to seek re-election for that seat.
Seat C’s race has three candidates: Incumbent Amelia Parker is facing Matthew Best and Tim Hill.
Incumbent Judge John R. Rosson Jr. faces Andrew Beamer, Tyler M. Caviness and Mary L. Ward in the race for municipal judge.
You can find early voting locations and the sample ballot online at www.knoxcounty.org/election or call the Knox County Election Commission at (865)215-2480. Voters may early vote at any of the early voting locations.
