Whenever You Go to Vote… Come Prepared

By DALE GRAHAM

Early and absentee voting has begun in Cheatham County for the November 6th state general, Town of Kingston Springs and presidential election.

In the state general election, 1 U. S. Senator will be selected, as well as 1 TN House of Representative for the 78th District which includes all of Cheatham County, and parts of Montgomery and Williamson counties. Also on the ballot will be election of one U. S. House Representative for each of the 5th (northeast corner of Cheatham County), and 6th Districts (the rest of Cheatham County). The election commission has links to the district maps on their website: http://cheathamcountytn.gov/government/elections/

Residents of Kingston Springs will have the opportunity to fill 3 seats with 3 candidates. There are also local choices for Pleasant View voters.

Early voting now is available at the Cheatham County Election Commission Office, 188 County Services Dr. Suite 100 in Ashland City, (beneath Cheatham Co. Library). If you are a registered voter in Cheatham County, you can early vote at any early voting location in Cheatham county. If you wait until election day, you must vote at your precinct which is located on your voting card.

The remaining schedule at the election commission follows:

Fri. Oct 26 9am-4pm

Sat. Oct 27 9am-4pm

Mon. Oct 29 9am-4pm

Tues. Oct 30 9am-4pm

Wed. Oct 31 9am-4pm

Thur. Nov 1 9am-6pm

Early voting at the Pegram Town Hall began October 25th and goes through November 1st. Schedule follows:

Fri. Oct 26 9am-4pm

Sat. Oct 27 9am-4pm

Mon. Oct 29 9am-4pm

Tues. Oct 30 9am-4pm

Wed. Oct 31 9am-4pm

Thur. Nov 1 9am-6pm

2012 Voter Identification Requirements:

From: http://tn.gov/sos/election/photoID.htm

All voters must present an ID containing the voter’s name and photograph when voting at the polls, whether voting early or on Election Day.

Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:

•Tennessee drivers license with your photo

•United States Passport

•Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

•Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government

•United States Military photo ID

•State-issued handgun carry permit with your photo

These IDs are not acceptable:

College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or a state government are NOT acceptable.

Who is exempt?

•Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements on the above website)

•Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility

•Voters who are hospitalized

•Voters with a religious objection to being photographed

•Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee

What if I registered by mail and am voting in my first election?

Federal law requires first time voters who register by mail to present one of the following:

• A current photo identification with voter’s name and photo OR

• If the photo identification is expired, the voter must also present one of the following: a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter’s name and address.