Wayne County will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 5, for the Presidential Preference Primary Election. The Presidential Preference will decide who will be on the Democrat and Republican ballots in November. According to polls, former President Donald Trump is the frontrunner on the Republican ticket, and current President Joe Biden is expected to be on the Democrat ballot.
Wayne Countians will also see some different things on this ballot – it includes county seats, which according to Wayne County Administrator of Elections Lillie Ruth Brewer, have not been on a Primary ballot in many years before now.
“Most people are unaware that all County Democrat Parties and County Republican Parties can call for county offices to be on the Primary ballot,” said Brewer. In times past, candidates for County seats have not been affiliated with either party.
“Candidates in the past have always run as “Independent” on Election Day, since neither the Wayne County Republican Party or the Wayne County Democrat Party ever called for the candidates to declare affiliation with either party,” Brewer continued.
The Wayne County Republican Party has only called for a Judicial Primary Election for the office of Circuit Judge, Part V, unexpired term, to be on the Primary ballot.
The Wayne County Democrat Party has called for a County Primary Election for the offices of Property Assessor, School Board Member District 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and the office of Circuit Court Judge, Part V, unexpired term.
“I know this is confusing for voters, and it’s something we’re just not used to seeing on a Primary ballot,” said Election Administrator Brewer. “As we have posted at the Election Commission Office, voters in the Primary Election are only allowed to vote on either the Republican or Democrat ballot, whichever party they (the voters) are affiliated with.”
For more information about voting and other election information, visit GoVoteTN.gov or contact the Wayne County Election Commission at 931-722-3517
