By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy special meeting of the Henry County Elections Commission Thursday night, members got ready for the upcoming elections.
Members unanimously approved the lists of candidates for the May Republican Primary and the August General Election, officially called for the August election, appointed poll workers and locked the absentee ballot boxes and bags.
Thursday at noon was the deadline for candidates to file for the Republican primary in May and qualifying Independent candidates for the August general election.
Elections Administrator DeLaina Green acknowledged that members of the public are still confused about the upcoming elections. “It is very confusing for people,” she said.
She said people also are still confused about the redistricting which has eliminated District 75 which Henry County had been a part of and replacing it with the 74th and 76th Districts. (RadioNWTN has published two articles in recent days on the redistricting with maps showing the new districts).
Green said, “We should be getting our official (district) maps next week. There are a lot of people who are still unaware of the changes. We’re trying to get the word out there.”
Redistricting will have a major impact on Henry County by eliminating the 75th district, which currently is represented by State Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, who earlier announced he would not be seeking reelection as a State Representative, but instead would be seeking the position of Circuit Court Judge.
Henry County now will be represented by 76th District Rep. Tandy Darby (R-Greenfield) and 74th District Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin).
Observing at Thursday’s meeting were Commissioners Marty Visser and Drew Williams.
Photo: Administrator DeLaina Green oversees locking of the absentee ballot boxes and bags at tonight’s meeting with members Bennie Akers, Sylvia Humphreys, Stephen Goggans (partially hidden) and Randy Geiger. Member Art Smith not pictured. (Shannon McFarlin photo).