Publisher Bailey Hufstetler
Rhea County Election Officials are gearing up for the March Primary with early voting beginning tomorrow, February 14th. Election officials released information about voting dates and times on their website last week.
You can early vote at the County Election Commission Office located in the Historic Rhea County Courthouse Downtown during the following times:
February 14th- February 27th
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30am-4:00pm.
Thursday 8:30am-6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm
You can vote in Spring City at the old City Hall (current police department) during the following times:
February 20th- February 24th
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm
Thursday 8:30am-6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm
On Election Day, March 5th, polls will be open from 8:00am-8:00pm. You will vote at your local precinct. If you don’t know your local precinct’s location, you can call Rhea County Election Commission Office at 423-775-7816.
A lot is at stake on this primary when it comes to local elections. The most eyed election would probably be the Rhea County Road Supervisor position that is up for grabs.
Incumbent Glen Varner is running for Re-Election against former County Road Employee Rick Wilkey. There’s been a lot of talk throughout the community in regards to the Road Supervisor Election, especially since this most recent snow storm that hit Rhea County that left many people stranded at home for days at a time, wrecks all over the County, and left a lot of the County roads completely impassable.
A recent poll conducted by Rhea County Observer shows Wilkey leading by over 85% of the vote. Another local Real Estate Agent in the area, Carol Movre, posted to a local community page on Facebook asking for others opinion about the Road Supervisor. The results are the same- a high number of individuals stating that they would prefer someone other than Varner as the Road Supervisor.
Other positions up for grabs in this election for School Board seats for even numbered districts. District 4 is the only district with opposition. Harold “Bimbo” McCawley, incumbent, has Heath Smith running against him in this election.
Property Assessor, Debbie Byrd, is running for re-election with no opposition running against her.
For more information on the election, if you have any questions about voting, you can reach out to the Rhea County Election Commission.
This article was written by Publisher Bailey Hufstetler. You can reach him for comment at bailey@rheacountyobserver.com.
