Early Voting Begins July 12, But What’s on the Ballot?

07/09/202407/09/2024 election

Early voting will take place Friday, July 12, and run through Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Hardeman County Election Commission office, 106 South Porter Street in Bolivar.

Early voting for the State and Federal Primary, State and County General Election, and Town of Whiteville Municipal Election begins Friday, July 12, and runs through Saturday, July 27, 2024. The deadline to request absentee ballots has been set for Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Voters in the Town of Whiteville will be voting for Mayor and Alderman. Incumbent Whiteville Mayor Gene Bowden is being challenged by Aubrey Phillips, who served as the Town of Whiteville Mayor from 2016-2020. Phillips most recent election campaign was for the 2022 Hardeman County Mayor race, which was ultimately won by Todd Pulse. Whiteville voters will also be asked to vote for three alderman from the four candidates running for the open positions; Deborah A. Burkeen, Ernest L. Pirtle, Mattie Polk-Nelson, and Tommy Turner.

Voters in the County Commission District 1, Position 3 area will be asked to vote and fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Thomas Polk. After Mr. Polk passed away in November 2023, the Commission voted to allow his wife, Mamie Polk, to fill the seat until the Thursday, August 1, 2024, election, when voters will chose his successor. Michion Gatlin, who is the Democratic Party nominee, is the only candidate running for County Commission District 1, Position 3.

All Hardeman County voters will see Assessor of Property on their ballots as Larry Crawford, Republican Party nominee, challenges Incumbent Property Assessor Josh Pulse, who is running as an Independent candidate in this election.

All Hardeman County voters will also vote to fill the unexpired term of General Sessions Judge Boyette Denton. The position came open when Judge Denton announced his retirement before the end of his term. The County Commission selected Attorney Harriet Thompson to fill the open position until voters elect his successor in this August 1, 2024 election. Rickey W. Griggs is running against Harriet Thompson for the position. Both candidates are running as Independents in this election.

Some voters will see school board positions on their ballots. Johnny Davis, Independent, is running against Bill Stone, Independent, for District 2, Position 2; Erica Garrison, Republican, is running against Anthony Ford, Democrat, for District 3, Position 1; and Steven Gibson, Independent, is running against Stacey “Moose” Swift, Independent, for District 3, Position 3.

All voters will be asked to identify Republican or Democrat so the Election Commission can provide the correct primary ballot, as there is no primary for Independent candidates. The Republican and Democratic candidates who win in the primary will go on to the Tuesday, November 5, 2024, ballot, along with Independent candidates.

Voters should be prepared to use the newly purchased voting equipment. The new equipment was purchased in response to a new law which states that by Monday, January 1, 2024, each voting machine used by a county election commission must produce a voter-verifiable paper audit trail.

A paper ballot is now printed out for each voter. The voter will make their selection using a blue or black ink pen and then deposit their ballot into a scanner, which will scan and record the votes.

While the deadline to register to vote in the State and Federal Primary, State and County General Election, and City of Whiteville Municipal Election has passed, citizens may still register to vote for the Tuesday, November 5, 2024, State and Federal General Election. (Click here to learn more about registering to vote)

Early voting for the State and Federal Primary, State and County General Election, and Town of Whiteville Municipal Election will take place Friday, July 12 and run through Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Hardeman County Election Commission office, 106 South Porter Street, in Bolivar. Early voting hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

If you have questions about the election, contact the Hardeman County Election Commission at (731) 658-4751.

You may find a sample of the ballot below.

Read more local news by clicking here.

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