By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris and Union City, Tenn.–Early voting for the Tennessee State and Federal Primary and County Election begins Friday, July 17, and runs until Saturday, August 1. And to say that this year’s early voting period will be unlike any other before is an understatement.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols will be in place at each county elections office.
In Henry County, early voting hours are: M-W-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; T-Th 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.
In Obion County, early voting hours are: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9-noon.
As always, early voting will take place in the county elections offices. Election Day is Thursday, August 6, at which voting will take place at the various polling places in each county.
Henry County Elections Administrator DeLaina Green said hand sanitizing stations will be set up and all staff will be in full PPE gear.
Outside of the elections office, each voter will be checked in by staff members (with ID’s required) and each voter will be given a voting kit which includes disposable pens, disposable gloves and ‘I Voted’ stickers. The disposable gloves are to be used when voting with the touch screen.
A National Guard tent will be set up for emergency voting which will be for anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or people who may be exhibiting symptoms. “Anyone has the option to vote in the emergency tent,” she said.
Social distancing will be utilized in the elections office, with spaces marked off for voting and standing in line.
The Henry County Elections Office is located on Grove Hill in the former Weston Hall building. Signs will be in place along Grove Blvd. to direct people to the office. The address is 215 Grove Blvd., Suite B.
In Obion County, hand sanitizing stations and plexiglass will be set up, with the plexiglass used to separate staff from voters. Voters will be given disposable pens and partial gloves to use when voting on the touch screens.
Cleaning will occur several times a day, according to staff. The Obion County Elections Office is at 308 Bill Burnett Circle, Union City.
Face coverings are encouraged at all elections offices, but not required.
“The safety of voters and poll officials are our top priority,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “With social distancing measures and many other safety precautions in place for this election, I urge voters to take advantage of Tennessee’s generous early voting period.”
Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds and can shorten your wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evenings and Saturdays along with multiple polling locations in many counties.
During early voting and on Election Day, Tennesseans are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signs with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and will be trained to social distancing measures.
Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote will reduce your time at the polls.
Voters who have moved within the county or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on GoVoteTN.com or by calling the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959.
Photo: Henry Co. poll workers have been busy with early voting at the local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In photo, at Morningside, resident Frank Pfleuger votes while Debra McGuire and Gloria Perry oversee. (Morningside photo).