Feature Photo by Jackson Thomas
Story by Jackson Thomas
The Rutherford County Election Commission approved the 2024 presidential ballot, a state grant contract to purchase additional voting machines, and other agenda items at its Sept. 9 meeting.
Tennessee Election Commission approved the ballot before being introduced to the election commission, leading Alan Farley, the Administrator of Elections, to believe there should be no conflict ahead of November. The Rutherford County Election Commission voted to unanimously approve the ballot.
On top of this approval was another item: the state grant contract to purchase additional voting machines. This contract uses funds from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to purchase new voting machines for Rutherford County, which is needed given its rapid growth.
“This is free money, so it’s not out of tax money being used,” said Farley to the Commission.
Early voting hours and dates, as unanimously approved by the Election Commission, will be Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Rutherford County Offices located at One Public Square, Suite 103. Their satellite locations will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Early voting begins Oct. 16 and ends Oct. 31.
“If they wait until the last day to vote early, do not come to the election commission office because it’s Halloween and the city shuts down the square,” said Farley.
The final thing up for approval at this meeting was the referendum for package store sales in the city of Eagleville.
This is C.J. Patel’s fifth attempt to get wine and grocery stores down in Eagleville. After a successful petition, the referendum to allow retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in Eagleville was finally sent to the Rutherford Election Commission.
After approval by the Commission, citizens may see a wine and grocery store referendum in Eagleville as soon as 2026.
The Election Commission set their next meeting for Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.
Jackson Thomas is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines.
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