Wayne County Republican Primary is Tuesday, May 5th

Early voting for the County Republican Primary wraps up today, Thursday, April 30, and those who don’t vote early will vote at their regular polling location on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, May 5.

The reasons behind this Republican Primary are still unclear for many. A primary may be called for by either the Republican or Democrat party, with the most recent Wayne County Primary being called for by the Wayne County Democrat Party in 2024. That primary happened to coincide with the U.S. Presidential Primary, so many Wayne County voters were unaware that the Wayne County Democrat Primary was even on the ballot that year. The only county seats on the ballot in 2024 were Wayne County Property Assessor and some seats on the school board, and all candidates for those seats ran as Independents (no party affiliation). Without a Primary Election, all candidates are listed on the ballot for the General Election, as they have not declared a party affiliation and are automatically listed as Independent.

This year’s Republican Primary Election will only affect candidates who have declared themselves as Republicans. The Wayne County Democrat Party chose not to call for a primary this year; therefore, only a Republican Primary will be held next week. That means the ballot for the General Election in August will only have one Republican listed - the one who receives the most votes in the Primary Election. Candidates who do not declare a Republican Party affiliation will ALL be on the General Election ballot, listed as Independents. Choosing to run as an Independent does ensure that a candidate’s name will be on the final ballot; however, in doing so, those candidates are separating themselves from any affiliation to the two major parties. Primary Elections for Republican and Democrat candidates for county offices are very common in several other Tennessee counties.

The county offices on the ballot in the Republican Primary are:

• County Executive, 4-year term

• County Commissioner Districts 1-7, 4-year term

• Trustee, 4-year term

• Sheriff, 4-year term

• Circuit Court Clerk, 4-year term

• Register of Deeds, 4-year term

• Road Superintendent, 4-year term

• School Board Members Districts 2 and 5, 4-year term

Many of the county offices in this election will be decided on the day of the primary, as there are only declared Republican candidates running.

Wayne County voters, as always, are encouraged to vote in this election and let your voices be heard.