Category Archives: Local Elections

Keenly aware

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(Programming Note: Gentle reader, you are not forgotten. Being a grownup calls for occasionally having to put down the blogging toys for uncomfortable stretches of time.)

Meanwhile, the Chattanooga municipal elections are charging past at a good clip, and I don’t much like not being able to discuss them, and everything else that’s going on in local and state government, with you.

Fortunately for Chattanooga voters, the cool kids over at the Lamp Post Group and Nooga.com have created a new interactive voter guide complete with a social component. It’s called Keen Citizen, and you are advised to check it out.

Oh, my thoughts on the election? Well, I agree with pretty much every editorial writer and pundit who has expressed disappointment in former Sen. Andy Berke, the ostensible far-and-away frontrunner in the mayoral election, for being so light on specifics about his likely future term.

Can he get away with it? Sure. Do I still wish we could have a frank and somewhat detailed discussion about the city’s current issues and future direction? Of course. I’m not discounting the times Berke has held community discussions on crime and other topics; but the campaign message itself could have been clearer about his goals.

The Chattanooga City Council elections merit their own separate posts. Maybe by the time Election Day gets here, we’ll have had a chance to chat about them.

Thanks for being responsible citizens.

A five-step last-minute cram session

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Some of the people nearest and dearest to my heart (ahem) have waited until today to figure out what all is on the ballot and for whom they will vote. It’s OK. I’m a huge procrastinator; it’s just that I geek out on elections, so I have the information-gathering part done already.

Here is a quick-ish “guide to the guide” that you—I mean, your friend—can use to assemble a voting plan.

Step One

First, know what kinds of elections are on the ballot beside the presidential race.

  • In Tennessee, we are electing one of our two U.S. Senators. Sen. Bob Corker is running for re-election, and faces multiple opponents.
  • All nine U.S. House seats are up, all nine incumbents are running for re-election, and all of them have opponents.
  • Some of you may have a state Senate election in which to participate; the Senate alternates even- and odd-numbered districts every two years. This time, it’s even-numbered.
  • Everyone will have a state House of Representatives election to decide. Well, in many cases there is only one candidate, but the seat’s still on the ballot.
  • There may be local elections where you live. Town councils, boards of aldermen, city commissions, and such.
  • Finally, there are often ballot measures, aka referenda, wherein the voters directly decide to implement or repeal some bit of law.

Step Two

Second, find your districts. Look at your voter registration card, if you have it. If not, you can use Project Vote Smart (federal and state only), your county election commission, these Tennessee district maps, or the Tennessee Secretary of State’s voter lookup. Remember: your districts may not be the same as the last few times. They all changed after the 2010 census.

Step Three

Find out who is running for each office in your districts. That can be done here on a combination of pages (see below), or, if you live in Hamilton County, you can simply hop over to the Nooga.com voter guide. News outlets in most other major Tennessee cities also have published something similar. (The Commercial Appeal, Knoxville News-Sentinel, e.g.)

To use Tennessee Ticket:

  1. Go to the Tennessee House of Representatives page, click on your district number near the top of the page, and you will jump to your House candidates.
  2. Go to the Tennessee Senate page, and if your district is even-numbered, click it and jump to your candidates.
  3. Go to the U.S. House of Representatives page, click on your district number near the top of the page, and you will jump to your House candidates.
  4. Go to the U.S. Senate page. There are no district numbers; all candidates are listed.
  5. Go to the President & Vice President page. All candidates on the ballot in Tennessee are listed.

Step Four

Your penultimate step is very important. You have to find out what these candidates stand for, how they’ve voted in the past (if applicable), whose pocket they’re in, and all kinds of things that, frankly, it’s too late now to expect to finish. Just do the best you can. Scour their websites. Read their tweets and Facebook messages. Search the internet for articles about them, and take everything with a grain of salt.

Step Five

Assemble your voting preferences before heading to your polling place. Write down or tap into your mobile device the name of the candidate you have chosen for each position on your ballot. Also record any decisions you have made regarding amendments or referenda. Be prepared.

Now that you have done all of these things: GO VOTE.

Thank you.

Deborah Scott drops mic so hard in the paint

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Chattanooga City Councilwoman Deborah Scott has announced that she will not seek re-election after serving a single four-year term in District 1. Scott also wrote a thorough explanation for her decision.

The news has been met with a great deal of disappointment from Scott’s fans, who are united in their admiration for her commitment to accountability despite ideological positions that range across the political spectrum.

The Free Press editorial page today included the topic in its “Drew’s Views” column, saying that Scott’s decision deals a “tremendous blow” to Chattanooga citizens, and that Scott is among “the rarest of politicians.”

It shouldn’t be so extraordinary for ordinary people to seek elective office and to serve with the kind of energy and focus Scott has. Her self-assessment is a detailed reminder of the fact that doing the right thing in the right way is not easy.

Early voting today through Nov. 1

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I’m just adding to the chorus of reminders that early voting began this morning in Tennessee for the Nov. 6 election.

I’m also reiterating my own oft-stated preference to wait until Election Day to cast my ballot. I like seeing some of my neighbors at the polling place, and I like having longer to make up my mind—even into the evening of that day. Plus, the poll workers are tired-out by then and don’t put up as much of a fight. (That’s a joke. My polling place’s workers are among the very best.)

But if voting early makes the difference for you between exercising your franchise and not, then by all means, join the crowd and vote early.

Please vote. But first, please figure out what your choices are, and make informed decisions about them; then vote.

Chattanooga municipal election season officially open

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Incumbent Chattanooga City Council members Russell Gilbert (5th District) and Peter Murphy (9th District) were among those who dropped by the Hamilton County Election Commission Friday morning to pick up qualifying petitions to run in the March 2013 City of Chattanooga elections.

In District 2, where Sally Robinson has opted not to run for re-election, George Jackson has announced his intent to run. Jackson is chairman of the Hamilton County Young Republicans.

District 3 Councilwoman Pam Ladd had been somewhat publicly considering a mayoral bid, but instead has decided to pursue re-election to her Council seat. Ken Smith is also running for the District 3 spot.

Chattanooga’s elder statesman, Councilman Jack Benson, will face multiple challengers to his attempt to serve another term.

Chris Anderson is running in District 7 against incumbent Councilman Manny Rico, and Moses Freeman is likely to run in District 8, which is currently represented by Councilman Andraé McGary.

Murphy may face a challenge from Yusuf Hakeem, who represented the 9th District before leaving for a state parole board post.

There has been little to no mention of challenger activity in District 1 (Councilwoman Deborah Scott) or District 6 (Councilwoman Carol Berz). Additional announcements are sure to follow in the coming days.

UPDATE: John Wilson has more. Guy Satterfield is running for mayor, Deborah Scott has a challenger, Tramble Stephens is running in District 7, and Demetrus Menifee in District 9.

UPDATE 2: Chris Carroll reports that Rob Healy may run again.