Early voting begins Oct. 19 for Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna at 9 locations

Scott Broden, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
·5 min read

Rutherford County officials stand by the process that ensures all valid votes will be counted for the Nov. 8 election.

Early voting will be Wednesday through Nov. 3 at nine polling locations in the county for federal, state and local elections in Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna.

“A voter needs to have a Tennessee-issued photo Identification at the time they appear to vote,” said Alan Farley, the administrator of elections for Rutherford County.

Only Rutherford’s 206,277 registered voters as of Oct. 13 can vote in the county.

Farley reports to a five-member election commission with three Republicans and two Democrats. The political party with most of the seats in Tennessee General Assembly determines the majority of all election commissions for 95 counties.

Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 19 through Nov. 3 at nine polling locations in the county for federal, state and local elections in Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna.
Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 19 through Nov. 3 at nine polling locations in the county for federal, state and local elections in Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna.

Prior to serving as administrator, Farley was a former Republican member of the local election commission when the GOP had two of the five seats. He stands by the integrity of the voting process.

“Tennessee was just ranked the number one state in the nation for election integrity by the Heritage Foundation,” Farley said. “That is an honor that we are very proud of.”

The conservative Heritage Foundation touts a mission of formulating and promoting public policies based on the principals of “free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.”

"There are numerous cross-checks in place," Farley said. "We have a very good bipartisan election commission that the members provide tremendous oversight on all election activities. Cyber security measures are at a heightened level, and chain of custody of all election infrastructure is solidly secured.”

Democratic Election Commissioner Judy Whitehill said she trusts the local policies in place to ensure voters being able to cast their votes.

“The efforts of the election commission and staff always lend itself to make sure that every Rutherford County registered voter has the equal opportunity to vote in the election,” Whitehill said. “That should be a bipartisan effort. Voters should have the confidence in knowing that their vote will be cast and counted.”

Alan Farley
Alan Farley

Any voter bringing their voter card and photo ID to the polls should be allowed to vote. If there’s any issues with the voter information, the official assigned to each polling location will examine any problems that need to be followed up, Whitehill said.

Low turnout expected

Farley expects a low turnout with 80,000 (38.8%) to 85,000 (41.2%) of registered voters participating based on the previous low turnouts for two previous elections this year: the May 3 local primaries; and Aug. 4 election for Rutherford County, Murfreesboro and judicial offices, and state and federal primaries.

“We do not have highly contested statewide races driving turnout this election,” Farley said.

All the ballots will include six pages to present four amendments to the Tennessee Constitution.

“They are very lengthy and very wordy,” said Farley, who recommends voters research the amendments that involve the following:

Amendment 1: Determines whether to codify Tennessee being a right-to-work state;

Amendment 2: Clarifies the line of succession for the governor with the lieutenant governor assuming office if the governor is incapacitated;

Amendment 3: Removes and clarifies from Tennessee Constitution language on slavery and involuntary servitude.

Amendment 4: Allows clergy to serve in the Tennessee House and Senate.

“Do your research before you get into the voting booth,” Farley said. “The amendments are posted on our website (Rutherford County Election Commission). A summary is also listed to give a more laymen approach. Sample ballots will be posted outside all of our voting locations for voters to read and study before going in to vote.”

Farley recommends that people with a question at the voting booths step aside to get the attention of election officials before casting their ballots.

“If they cast their vote then ask their question about an issue with their ballot, it is too late,” said Farley, who reports to a five-member election commission with three Republicans and two Democrats

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription for all dnj.com stories. 

Who's on ballot for Smyrna seats

Mayor race

  • Mary Esther Reed, incumbent

Council race

  • Marc Adkins, incumbent vice mayor

  • H.G. Cole Jr., incumbent

  • Gerry Short, incumbent

  • Marquinta "Mutt" Richardson

Who's on ballot for La Vergne seats

Mayor race

  • Jason Cole, incumbent

  • Matthew B. Mednick

  • John Mack Rutledge

Aldermen race

  • Graeme Coates, incumbent

  • Carol V. Hass

  • Kara Hobbs

  • Kathy Tyson

Who's on ballot for Eagleville seats

Mayor race

  • Chad Leeman, incumbent

Council race: 2-year term

  • Jason Blair, incumbent

Council race: 4-year term

  • Brandon Emamalie, incumbent

  • Bill Tollett, incumbent

  • Heath Garner, incumbent

  • Craig Campbell

Who's on ballot for Tennessee Senate

  • District 13: Dawn White, Republican incumbent; Kelly Northcutt, Democrat

Who's on ballot for Tennessee House of Representatives

  • District 13 (new office for Rutherford County to account for growth): Robert Stevens, Republican; Gabriel Fancher, Republican; Jeff Crum, Democrat

  • District 34: Tim Rudd, Republican incumbent; Laura Bohling, Democrat

  • District 37: Charlie Baum, Republican incumbent; Bill Levine, Democrat

  • District 48: Bryan Terry, Republican incumbent; Matt Ferry, Democrat

  • District 49: Mike Sparks, Republican incumbent; Morgan Woodberry, Democrat

Early Voting Polling Locations

Early Voting takes place October 19 - November 3, 2022

Rutherford County Election Office1 South Public Square | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Murfreesboro SportsCom2310 Memorial Blvd. | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Rutherford County Election Commission Annex426 E Vine St. | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lane Agri-Park Livestock Pavilion315 John R. Rice Blvd. | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Middle Tennessee Assoc of Realtors311 Butler Drive | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

World Outreach Church - Leadership Park1921 New Salem Hwy. | MurfreesboroMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Smyrna City Hall315 S. Lowry St. | SmyrnaMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Grace Church - Smyrna1004 Hazelwood Drive, SmyrnaMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

LaVergne Multi-Purpose Building5093 Murfreesboro Rd. | LavergneMonday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Early voting begins Oct. 19 for Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna