Early Voting Starts Today

We are less than three weeks away from the August 4th election. This is the general election for county offices and is the primary for Newport city plus state and federal positions. Early voting for the election begins today in the Western Plaza shopping center. Hours for early voting will be Monday-Thursday from 9-5, Friday from 9-6 and Saturday from 9-noon. Josh Blanchard, the Administer of Elections in Cocke County is reminding voters that it will take you a little extra time to vote in this election. The ballot is 13 pages, mainly due to numerous judicial retention questions. There are eight voting machines at Early Voting to help the line go faster. Blanchard points out that those voters who wait until Election Day to vote, will have longer lines at the precincts due to that longer than normal ballot.

Voting on elections day will be done at the voter’s local precinct. Polls on election day will be open from 9am-8pm. If you need an absentee ballot, the deadline to request one is July 28.