February 1, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
As one election date draws near (March 5 primaries), the DeKalb County Election Commission is preparing for another one.
Monday, February 5 is the first day persons may pick up qualifying petitions from the DeKalb County Election Commission to run for offices in the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries as well as the Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Smithville Municipal Elections all to be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
In the State Primaries on August 1, nominees in both the Republican and Democratic Parties will be selected for the offices of US Senate, US House of Representatives (6th District), Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and Tennessee Senate (16th District)
Those positions are currently held by US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R), Congressman John Rose (R)- US House of Representatives (6th District), State Representative Michael Hale (R)- Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and State Senator Janice Bowling (R)- Tennessee Senate (16th District)
In the Smithville Municipal Election August 1, three aldermen will be elected, each to serve a 4 year term. The positions are currently held by Aldermen Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Jessica Higgins.
The Alexandria Municipal Election on August 1 will be held to fill the positions of mayor (unexpired term), three aldermen, and three other aldermen (unexpired terms).
In the Dowelltown Municipal Election on August 1, a mayor and two aldermen will be elected.
The qualifying deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday April 1 at 12 noon and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 11 at 12 noon. The voter registration deadline for the August 1 elections is Tuesday, July 2. Early Voting for the August 1 elections is Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 27. The absentee ballot request deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday, July 25.
Meanwhile the DeKalb County General Election will be August 1 in which party nominees selected in the March 5 primaries will be running for the offices of Assessor of Property, Board of Education (Districts 5 & 6), Constable (Districts 1-7), and Criminal Court Judge- Part III in the 13th Judicial District.
The office of County Commission District 6 will also be on the August 1, 2024 ballot to fill an unexpired term. This election will be held in conjunction with the 2024 DeKalb County General Election.
County parties may certify a candidate by caucus by the qualifying deadline 12 NOON April 4, 2024.
Independents may pick up petitions beginning February 5, 2024.