NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT / WOKI) – Six Tennessee counties are seeing election updates after devastating floods brought by Hurricane Helene.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett made the announcement Wednesday, saying the state and local election officials are working to make sure voters can cast a ballot this election, whether it be in-person or absentee.
“The devastation experienced in northeast Tennessee is heartbreaking and unimaginable,” said Secretary Hargett. “However, I continue to be amazed at the planning and resiliency of our local election officials. We have been working with our local elections administrators — Josh Blanchard, Sarah Fain, Tracy Harris, Dana Jones, Cheri Lipford, and Justin Reaves — throughout the entirety of this disaster, and their unwavering leadership and commitment will ensure this election proceeds as planned, so registered voters have the opportunity to vote.”
Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington Counties have all been affected. Below is the latest information from Hargett’s office:
Carter County:
Two Election Day polling places have temporarily been changed and voters in the impacted areas will vote at their temporary location on Election Day. Notices are being sent to local media and letters are being mailed to the impacted voters.
Hampton High School (Tiger Valley Precinct) will vote at Hampton Elementary
Elk Mill VFD (Elk Mills Precinct) will vote at Little Milligan Elementary
Early Voting:
Carter County Election Commission, 116 Holston Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Monday through Friday (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
Cocke County:
The Election Commission has moved to 157 Western Plaza Drive, Newport, TN 37821
The new mailing address is PO Box 459, Newport, TN 37822.
Early Voting:
Western Plaza Shopping Center, 157 Western Plaza Drive, Newport, TN 37821
Monday through Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon) with extended hours October 30 and 31 (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Greene County:
All locations are expected to be open by Election Day. Voters are encouraged to monitor road conditions for possible closures.
Early Voting:
Greene County Election Commission, 311 CCU Boulevard, Suite 1, Greeneville, TN 37745
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Tuesday and Thursday (8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.), Saturday (8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Johnson County:
Access to the Trade Community Center polling place is limited. Election officials are monitoring repairs to HWY 421 to determine if additional adjustments are needed. The Trade Community Center polling location is expected to be open. If this changes, notice will be widely distributed.
Early Voting:
National Guard Armory, 1923 S Shady Street, Mountain City, TN 37683
Monday (8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.), Tuesday through Friday (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
Unicoi County:
Election Day Voting at the Temple Hill Elementary School will now occur in the library. Voters can gain access at the left rear of the building.
Early Voting:
106 Nolichucky Avenue, Erwin, TN 37650
Oct. 16-18 and 28-30 (8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.), Oct. 21-25 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon); Thursday, Oct. 31 (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Washington County:
Early Voting:
Johnson City Fire Station #8, 106 Gray Commons Circle, Gray, TN 37615
Freedom Hall, 1320 Pactolas Road, Johnson City, TN 37604
Old Jonesborough Middle School, 308 Forest Drive, Jonesborough, TN 37659
Monday through Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon), Extended hours October 29th (9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Washington College Academy, 116 Doak Lane, Limestone, TN 37681
October 22-26, Tuesday through Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
There have also been updates to who can and cannot request an absentee ballot. According to Hargett, those affected by the flooding can qualify.
That means anyone who has been displaced outside their county or relief workers who have moved in from other parts of the state can request to vote by mail.
For those who have lost a photo ID, the state has set up several existing and temporary locations to get replacements:
Elizabethton Driver Services Center
1741 HWY 19 E Bypass
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Newport Grammar School
301 College Street
Newport, TN 37821
Unicoi Police Department
3600 Unicoi Drive
Unicoi, TN 37692
Greeneville Driver Services and Reinstatement Center
1210 Hal Henard Road
Greeneville, TN 37743
Johnson County Clerk (Duplicates and Renewals of Non-CDL Only)
222 West Main Street
Mountain City, TN 37683
Johnson City Driver Services Center
4717 Lake Park Drive
Johnson City, TN 37615
Story courtesy of WVLT
