CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Early voting begins in just a few weeks for the May 5 Montgomery County primary for mayor, sheriff, the entire County Commission and part of the School Board. And for the first time, there will be four early voting locations.

“We’ve worked to provide multiple locations and flexible hours, so that voting is accessible for everyone in our community,” said Amanda Joslin, Montgomery County Administrator of Elections, in a news release. “We encourage voters to take advantage of early voting or make a plan to vote on Election Day.”

Tennessee has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for election integrity for the fourth year in a row, and early voting is a safe and secure way to cast a ballot before Election Day, Joslin said.

Montgomery County has previously held early voting only at the Election Commission office on Pageant Lane, with an additional site at the Clarksville Regional Airport/Outlaw Field (not being used this time). For this election, early voting will be at the Election Commission and at the new North Branch Library, CDE Lightband office and Richellen Park.

Early voting will be held April 15-30 at the following locations.

Election Commission

The Montgomery County Election Commission is at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404. Voting there will take place:

  • April 15, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 16, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • April 17, Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 18, Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • April 20, Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 21, Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 22, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 23, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 24, Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 25, Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • April 27, Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 28, Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • April 29, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 30, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Other early voting sites

  • North Clarksville Branch Library, 435 Jordan Drive
  • CDE Lightband, 2021 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.
  • Richellen Park, 1466 Highway 149

Those sites will hold early voting on these dates and times:

  • April 15, Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 16, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • April 18, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • April 28, Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • April 29, Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • April 30, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What to bring to the polls

First, are you registered? The voter registration deadline for the May 5 election is April 6. Registration is done at the Election Commission office.

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To vote early or on May 5, Tennessee voters are required to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee state government, or the federal government are acceptable, even if expired. College student IDs are not accepted.

Because this is a party primary, you will have to indicate whether you want a Republican or Democratic ballot. Independent candidates will not appear on the ballot until the Aug. 6 general election.

Who’s on the ballot

Despite that there are 64 people running in the upcoming Montgomery County elections, there are only four contested races on the May 5 party primary ballots:

County Commission District 2 Republican primary

County Commission District 11 Republican primary

County Commission District 21 Republican primary

School Board District 5 Democratic Primary

The winners of these primaries will face uncontested party candidates and independents in the Aug. 6 County General Election. For that election, there are 33 races, 20 of which will be contested.

Click here for a full sample ballot for the May 5 election. Here’s the full list of Montgomery County candidates.

But aren’t City of Clarksville elections coming up?

Yes, but there’s no city primary. Let’s recap:

  • May 5 election: Montgomery County primary.
  • Aug. 6 election: Montgomery County general election and state primary.
  • Nov. 3 election: State general election and City of Clarksville general election.

For more information on voting, including registering to vote, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website, visit their office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, email vote@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5707.

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