Satellite And Election Office County Voting Sites Open For Entirety Of Early Voting

A recent decision to limit the number of days that satellite voting offices are open has been overturned in a 3-2 vote by the Jefferson County Election Commission. The opposing votes were in regard to scheduled days, which had differed in previous election cycles, rather than opposition to the sites. Concerns for voting security were brought to the forefront late last year and were the basis for the limited times for satellite voting at the New Market and White Pine locations. There were no changes to the early voting dates and times at the Election Commission office which is located on the Justice Center property in Dandridge.

Outdated security measures were recently addressed before the Jefferson County Commission Both citizens and the Mayor of New Market offered concerns about the possibility of creating an inconvenience or hardship if early voters were required to adhere to the limited time of the satellite offices or having to drive to the election office for early voting. According to information provided to the Jefferson County Commission, state mandated security parameters have not been up to par at the satellite locations for several decades. Recently, vote security has become a topic of both national and state concern.

Jefferson County Administrator of Elections Nathan Bugg stated  that following a assessment of the of sites it was determined with changes to the satellite voting offices and upgrades to security proved by the Town of New Market, the New Market location would be sufficiently secure. The limiting of time at the White Pine location was not due to security concerns but, rather, to have across the board fairness in voting access. The satellite voting sites in New Market and White Pine, as well as the Election Office Proper, will be open for the entirety of Early Voting . April 15th is the first day to early vote in Jefferson County.

Administrator Bugg said that he and the Election Commission commend New Market for making the adjustments necessary to have the satellite offices accessible for the public for early voting and they encourage all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote.