2024 Presidential Preference Primary & Knox County Primary Election

Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot: Tuesday, February 27, 2024

EARLY VOTING: Wednesday, February 14 to Tuesday, February 27, 2024 (excluding Sundays)

Election Day: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Sample Ballot - For the Democratic Ballot, go to Page 2, Columns 2 & 3
(I'm certainly glad that Democrats don't have to vote for Presidential Delegates. What a waste of time.)

New voting machines. Hart Intercivic, Verity electronic machines with printed ballot. Blount County is using these same machines for the first time. There is a youtube videos at the Election Commission site showing how the machines can be used.

Blount County Election Commission

Early Voting Locations:

Foothills Mall Monday - Saturday / 10 am - 6 pm
197 Foothills Mall Drive
Maryville, TN 37801

Blount County Public Library Monday - Friday / 11 am - 7 pm
Sharon Lawson Room
508 North Cusick Street
Maryville, TN 37804

Everett Gym Monday - Friday / 11 am - 7 pm
318 South Everett High Road
Maryville, TN 37804

Pellissippi Campus Monday - Friday / 8 am - 4 pm
2731 West Lamar Alexander Parkway
Friendsville, TN 37737

Providence Baptist Church Annex Monday - Friday / 11 am - 7 pm
5766 Sevierville Road
Seymour, TN 37865

2023 BCDP Reorganization

Mar 12, 2023

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The Bird and The Book
1509 E Broadway Ave
Maryville, TN 37804

The Blount County Democratic Party will hold a Reorganization Convention to elect new leaders on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Blount County, TN, early voting starts today and goes through Thursday, November 3, 2022. Election day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Early voting locations and times:

• Foothills Mall - Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm (Foothills Mall Drive, Maryville 37804)
• Blount County Public Library- Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm (508 N. Cusick St, Maryville 37804)
• Everett Recreation Center- Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm (318 S. Everett High Rd, Maryville 37804)
• Pellissippi Community College- Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm (2731 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Friendsville 37737)
• Providence Baptist Church Annex- Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm (5748 Sevierville Rd, Seymour 37865)

Go to the Blount County, TN, Election Commission web site for details along with a sample ballot.

August 4, 2022 - Federal & State Primary, County General,
Friendsville & Townsend City Election

Blount County Election Commission

Early Voting : July 15 - 30, 2022

Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot : July 28, 2022

Election Day : Thursday, August 4, 2022

Sample Ballot for August 4, 2022 Election

Many years ago the City of Alcoa convinced TDOT that TDOT's plan to fix Alcoa Hwy. from Pellissippi Parkway to Hunt Road was not good for area business. Instead the city paid for a separate plan to waste 400 acres of land and 50-100 million dollars for a 2.5 mile "bypass" to ease traffic.

Part of the project has been recently completed. This section gave access to a planned downtown Alcoa, which has been in the works for 15 years or so. Currently there is an apartment complex being built, a new hotel is open, and two existing businesses in Alcoa are moving to the site leaving empty buildings elsewhere.

Not much of a downtown, but hey, money is flowing. More money from the city, and therefore taxpayers, will be needed. Especially since the maintenance of the old Alcoa Highway will be the responsibility of the city.

Yes, the City of Alcoa will have to take over the maintenance of Alcoa Hwy. From Pellissippi to the airport.

"The entire scope of the project, as recommended by the study, would include four lanes, attachment to the greenway system, linear open park space, bike lanes, new traffic light signals, medians with low maintenance landscaping, realigning the roadway, removing three of the six business access points and installing the same lighting as is in Springbrook Farm."

"But it is costly."

"City Manager Mark Johnson said in a briefing on Friday [June 24, 2022] that the extent of remodeling the roadway the city is able to do will be decided by how much grant money it receives."

From the Maryville Daily Times -Guide to the 2022 Blount County Primary & Rockford City Election - Candidate Profiles

Candidate profiles are useful and we appreciate the Maryville Daily Times offering this service. Candidate profiles help us to know the candidates a little better and possibly research them further.

Here are two Blount County Commission candidate profiles that appear to not really know Blount County. Also, it is kind of interesting how some of the candidates really, really have to emphasize how they were born, raised, and lived their whole lives in Blount County. That is not a bad thing but it is also not bad to have lived other places where a person might get a sense of other successful communities.

---------------------------------------------
District 2, Seat A
Mike Akard
Affiliation:Republican
Incumbent

Mr. Akard does not seem to represent all the citizens in his district. He appears to only want to represent those citizens who have his same beliefs. Whereas his opponent, Tracey Farr, appears to be willing to work "with people that have different ideas." She goes on to say, "Approaching conflicts as potential opportunities can help me work with many leaders so we can keep our focus grounded and lead this community in paced and smart growth with very diverse populations in mind.”

Why are you running for this position?
Mr. Akard: “I’m a native Blount Countian with conservative values... Our low property tax rates are extremely appealing. Local residents typically support conservative Republicans 3:1 to continue improving Blount County without the pitfalls of Democrat-run communities. I have been working with conservative officials building on a common-sense, fiscally responsible, pay-as-we-go plan to continue building a better Blount County. Current fuel prices nationwide are a perfect example of what happens with Democrats in charge.”

What relevant experience do you have?
Mr. Akard: “Unlike my opponent’s party, Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility and know how to get things done efficiently.
...

What makes you different from the other candidates for office?
Mr. Akard: “Red state conservative values vs. Blue state liberalism. Local Democratic Party is advertising and sponsoring candidates for nearly every office in Blount County. 2020 local election was 72 percent Republican vs 27 percent Democrat and we’ve all seen the horrific national results from Democrat rule since 2020. I’m encouraging every Republican to get out to vote to continue traditional Blount County conservative values and properly serve taxpayers with proven ‘pay-as-we-go’ progress for Blount County while incurring no new debt and continuing successes like Tennessee’s annual State Audits showing no findings 7 of last 9 years (unprecedented). I will vote Republican.”

Mr. Akard attended the protests in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. Even though the election was held on November 3, 2020, with two months of audits and recounts, it appears Mr. Akard still did not believe the presidential election results. He says he did not participate in the insurrection but he says he did chant "traitor" at those (Washington D.C. Police? Capitol Police?) trying to protect the Capitol from insurrectionists.

A little more history on Mr. Akard from the Maryville Daily Times.

---------------------------------------------

District 4, Seat C
Josh Sullins
Affiliation:Republican

What makes you different from the other candidates for
office?
Mr. Sullins: “I can’t speak for other candidates, but I will say of myself that I’m one of the younger candidates. I see my youth as an advantage to the diversity of the commission with the potential to add a distinct perspective. To me, this isn’t a legacy position or position to fill retirement time. It’s a chance for me to directly serve the citizens of my county with youth, endurance, and proven leadership skills. With the above said, I hold the utmost respect for senior members of public service and don’t want that misconstrued in any way.”

Youth is not necessarily an advantage. Besides, the median age for a Blount County resident is 44 years old. Nearly 30% of Blount County residents of voting age are 60 years old or older. But, heh, he has the "utmost respect for senior members of public service." I would hope so. The Blount County Mayor is no spring chicken. In addition, what is wrong with someone working their whole lives then being willing and able to give back to the community.

Tracey Farr lives in the heart of Alcoa and works in Blount County as an associate professor of Business Management at Pellissippi Community College. She works long hours volunteering for various entities along with raising three children with her husband.

Tracey Farr works for the community. Give her your support and vote for her to become the Blount County Commissioner for District 2, Seat A. There really is no other choice for this office.

Tracey Farr for Blount County Commissioner, District 2, Seat A.

Early voting starts today for the Nov. 3 general election. Links:

• General info
• Times and locations
• Sample ballot

Note: Democrat Patti Young is running for Tennessee Senate District 2 as a write-in candidate. She is not listed on the ballot but you can use the write-in option to vote for her.

The good citizens of the Blount County Democratic Party got together and put up a billboard for the 2020 presidential election.

Great job, people.

It appears to be on Alcoa Highway at Maloney Road, across from the Sevier Heights Church.

Election day is coming up on August 6, 2020,
There will be State and Federal Primaries and County General Elections.

Check out the sample ballot.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020, is the final day to register to vote before election.
That's just one week away.

Absentee ballot requests must be received by July 30, 2020.

The rules have changed a bit for being eligible to vote with an absentee ballot.

Pursuant to the June 4, 2020 Order of the Davidson County Chancery Court, if you are a registered voter and do not wish to vote in-person due to the COVID-19 situation, you are eligible to request an absentee ballot by mail.

* I am hospitalized, ill or physically disabled and unable to appear at my polling place to vote; and/or I have determined it is impossible or unreasonable to vote in-person due to the COVID-19 situation.
* I am a caretaker of a hospitalized, ill or physically disabled person, and/or I have determined it is impossible or unreasonable to vote in-person due to the COVID-19 situation.

This year is important at all levels. Let's get out the vote.

An article in today's Maryville Daily Times about early voting says this:

Blount County residents who choose a Republican ballot will also vote for Tim Helton or Todd Orr for Blount County Property Assessor.

Those who vote on Democratic ballots may write in either of the candidates for property assessor.

This is wrong, misleading and could cause people's votes to not be counted.

Tennessee Code Annotated 2-8-113 (c) says "Any person trying to receive a party nomination by write-in ballots shall complete a notice requesting such person's ballots be counted in each county of the district no later than twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, prevailing time, fifty (50) days before the primary election."

According to the Blount County election office, neither candidate for property assessor has filed such notice for the Democratic primary. Therefore, any such write-in vote will not be counted, and the vote would be wasted. To vote for property assessor you must vote in the Republican primary.

UPDATE: The online version of the story has been changed to say "Those who vote on Democratic ballots may cast write in votes for property assessor. Those votes will be counted in the Democratic primary. They will not impact the totals in the GOP race between Orr and Helton."

Uh, no, the votes will still not be counted. Once again, the Daily Times can't get basic information right, and refuses to correct it. What is happening to this newspaper?

As of the first three days of voting in the 2020 Presidential Primary, even though there are still more Republicans voting in Blount County, in 2020 as compared to 2016, Democrats have more than doubled the number of voters for the first three days. Whereas, the number of Republican voters has increased by just under 50% (46.3%).

Are there more Democrats voting in Blount County in 2020 or are they more motivated?

Early Voting Totals
2016

1,237 Total

Dem/Repub
296/941

as compared to

Early Voting Totals
2020

2,009 Total

Dem/Repub
632/1,377

Blount County Democrats are hosting a Family BBQ Picnic.

DATE: July 21, 2019
TIME: 3 - 9 PM
Dinner served from 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner cost is $15, children 10 and under are free

Location: Louisville Point Park
3298 Cox Rd
Louisville, TN 37777

Come out, meet the candidates and your fellow Democrats!

FYI, right now I do not know if dinner tickets have to be purchased in advance or if they can be purchased at the event. I doubt the will turn you away if you don't pay in advance. However, they might run out of food.:)

The [Blount County] Election Commission is in the process of replacing the county’s voting machines in time for the 2020 elections.

Blount County Democratic Party officers made a push at the Blount County Election Commission meeting Wednesday for the county to switch to a voting system with a paper trail.

Election Commission Chairman Larry Garner said after the meeting Wednesday that the cost would be a “big” factor in deciding what voting systems to evaluate.

The commission has put roughly $1.2 million toward the purchase of new machines.

Tennessee is among the 13 states that are either completely or partially paperless.

Sevier County switched to paper ballots shortly before the November 2016 election. “It’s slightly more expensive,” [Sevier County Elections Administrator Ed Kuncitis] said, but adding that because the blank ballot stock is generic, and unused ones can be carried over to the next election, the cost is not as much as he anticipated.

We can only hope the Blount County Election Commission makes the right choice and selects machines with a paper ballot.

Julie Rochelle, incumbent, retains her seat on the Alcoa City School Board. Brandy Bledsoe is a newcomer and won the second seat on the Alcoa City School Board. Congrats to both.

Still waiting on final results for Alcoa City Commission. Current commissioner and mayor, Don Mull, has a one vote lead over newcomer Tanya Martin. Absentee ballots are still being counted. Vaughn Belcher and Clint Abbott Jr., both incumbents are ahead with 1,927 and 2,009 votes.

Update: Tanya Martin wins by 5 votes. Congrats Ms. Martin.