Voting in the Valley

Edition 1. Issue 5.                                 April 2022

 

A Discussion About Voting in the Valley

Your right to pull the lever is right here on us.  Or your right to sit out the election may be your choice.   We are still in a country where you may choose to do either one.

 I was doing some research on the upcoming election, and for the first time ever, I called a county representative.  As a practicing attorney for many years, I have dealt with lots of elected officials; judges, circuit court clerks, register of deeds, sheriffs, but not a county representative.  I had some questions, so I called Matt Williams of voting district nine, because I thought he was my representative. As it turns out things have changed, and we folks of SV are now in voting district eight. Matt Williams was a pleasure to talk with, and he went out of his way to help. Matt says that we will be issued new voter registration cards soon. 

Your voter registration card shows your voting district, your school district and the districts for your state house, state senate, and United States representative. Matt encourages everyone to vote (if you are eligible), and told me only 15 to 20 percent of the voters actually vote in off year local elections. He would like to see more participation.  However, he is unopposed in this year’s election. In fact, there are many offices where the incumbent is unopposed. 

This might suggest the current office holder is doing a good job in the office.  I personally think that is true here in Williamson County. There is one big change that adds excitement and interest. For the first time ever, the school board members must run as either Republicans, Democrats or Independents. My bet is in Williamson County, a true blue Democrat will run as an Independent. I am starting to have a difficult time writing about elections without giving you all the benefit of my good judgment, so I will list the dates and offices to be filled without giving you any help on how you should vote. If you want my help, bring something to drink over, and we can sit on the porch and discuss it and other world problems.

May 3: vote in the state primary and the county primary (if any) for county offices and for judges

August 4: Election Day for county offices and for judges. Also, the primary for state senate and state house of representatives

November 8: General election for U. S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State House of Representatives.

So, on May 3, we can vote for judges.  Deanna Hood and Shane McNeill are both running for Circuit Court Judge for the division II held by retiring Judge Martin. The other Circuit Court Judges are unopposed.

Sharon Guffee, the current Juvenile Judge is challenged by Connie Reguli in the Republican primary.

The County Clerk will be contested in the Republican primary by Jeff Whidby and Glen Casada. The Democratic primary has Andrew Becker and Deborah Sparks.

In the Republican primary for School Board the choice is between Donna Clements and Shawna Graham. An independent is running unopposed: Kenneth Chilton.

Our County Commissioner district eight has three Republicans running and we vote for two. Those three are Jerry Rainey, Barb Sturgeon, and Drew Torres.
I think that is it for the May primary election, but we will have more for August.

John Whitfield - Author