450 Cast Ballots In Oneida Municipal Election

Huntsville, TN (2011-10-26) With just five days remaining in the 14-day Early Voting period for the November 5, 2011 Town of Oneida Municipal Election, 450 persons have cast ballots. The final day to vote early is October 31, 2011.

According to Administrator of Elections Gabe Lowe, a total of 450 registered voters have cast their ballots in the Town of Oneida Municipal Election. Of those ballots cast, 366 have been marked in persons at the Election Commission’s lone early voting location, the Oneida Municipal Building. Of the balance, 73 have been mailed-in and another 11 were cast by residents of area nursing homes. The total represents just 18% of the Town’s 2501 registered voters.

Thus far, Friday, October 21, 2011 has been the busiest day of the early voting period, when 87 voters cast their preference by personal appearance.

On the municipal ballot are the office of Mayor and four seats on the City Council. Incumbent Mayor Jack E. Lay is being challenged by Harold Brooks. Current councilmen Cecil Anderson, David Lowe and Sharon Miller are being challenged by Ronnie (Ron) Blevins, Randy Cooper, Linda Lay and Hillard Mattie. One those, four will be elected. One seat is currently vacant on the board, a seat previously held by County Mayor Jeff Tibbals.

Early Voting for the Town of Oneida Municipal Election began on October 17, 2011 and will end October 31, 2011. Eligible registered voters may vote at the Oneida Municipal Building, 121 Municipal Drive, Oneida, TN.

Hours of Early Voting are: Today (October 26, 2011), 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, October 27, 2011 and Friday, October 28, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Polling hours for the final day of Early Voting, Monday, October 31, 2011, are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Voters must present identification when appearing to vote during the Early Voting period and on Election Day. Proof of identity and correct/current address may be in the form of a current voter’s registration card, valid Tennessee Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Credit Card containing the voters’ signature, utility bill or etc. The new photo ID requirements will become effective January 1, 2012 and do not apply to this election.

Registered voters planning to Early Vote by mail may request a ballot from the Scott County Election Commission Office, 2845 Baker Highway, P.O. Box 586, Huntsville, TN 37756. The last day to return an application for a ballot is October 31, 2011. First-time voters cannot vote by mail and must appear in person either during Early Voting or Election Day. Mail-in ballots must be received on or before November 5, 2011.

For more information, you may call the Scott County Election Commission office at (423) 663-3210.

The 2011 Oneida Municipal Election will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011.