ROGERSVILLE — Early voting for the Aug. 2 Hawkins County general election and state primary begins Friday at locations in Rogersville and Church Hill.
There are four contested races in the Hawkins County general election, including the Sessions Court judge race that features Republican J. Todd Ross versus Democrat Terry Risner.
The District 3 constable seat features sitting Republican Jerry Matlock versus challenger Democrat Joshua Bellamy.
Two of the four nonpartisan Hawkins County Board of Education seats up for election Aug. 2 are also contested, including District 2 in which incumbent Burl W. Smith is being challenge by Chris W. Christian; as well as District 3 in which sitting board member Kurt Cornett is being challenged by former board member Kathy Cradic and newcomer Darin R. McClellan.
In District 1, newcomer Bobby L. Larkins is running unopposed, and in District 5 Michael B. Williams is running unopposed.
Also on the Aug. 2 ballot are the uncontested March 6 county primary winners, including Property Assessor Jeff Thacker, Juvenile Judge Daniel Boyd, Clerk of Courts Sarah Davis and District 7 Constable Josh Myers.
On Friday, voters in Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Union counties will also begin picking their next District 4 State senator from the Republican primary candidates including Cynthia Bundren Jackson of Rogersville, Hobart L. Rice of Dandridge, Frank Niceley of Strawberry Plains; and Jeffrey D. Brantley, Sharps Chapel.
No Democrats are seeking the District 4 senate seat that is being vacated by Sen. Mike Faulk, R-Church Hill.
Hawkins County early voting takes place at the original Courthouse in downtown Rogersville and at the Clay Masonic Lodge in Church Hill and continues through July 28.
Hawkins County Administrator of Elections Donna Sharp is encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting.
“Early voting is a convenient way for voters to be sure their voices are heard,” said Sharp “With this kind of flexibility, I hope that our voters will not miss this opportunity to exercise their right to vote.”
You may contact the Hawkins County Election Commission office at 272-8061 for more information regarding early voting hours, locations and sample ballots.
Voters are reminded that they are required to present a state or federal issued photo ID in order to vote in person, whether during early voting or on Election Day.
Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.