Newport & Parrottsville Election Qualifying Begins Next Week

We are less than 7 weeks away from the August 4th election in which Cocke County will choose a new mayor and a new sheriff. However, Cocke County Administer of Elections, Josh Blanchard and his staff are now looking towards November as well. Blanchard says that next Monday, June 20th, begins the qualifying period for the City of Newport and Town of Parrottsville municipal elections. Starting Monday, the election commission will begin issuing nominating petitions for the positions of Newport Mayor, Newport Alderman (five positions, at large), Newport City School Board (two positions, at large), and Parrottsville Town Commissioner (three positions, at large). Those nominating petitions will be available at the Cocke County Election Commission office in the Courthouse Annex building. The qualifying period that starts Monday has a deadline of noon on Thursday, August 18th. The election for those offices in Newport and Parrottsville will be held the same day as the state and federal general election on Tuesday, November 8th.