Hardeman County Early Voting Starts Oct. 14; Register by Monday

Hardeman County early voting for the Nov. 3 state and federal general election opens Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs through Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Hardeman County Election Commission office in Bolivar. Residents of Middleton and the rest of the county who are not yet registered have until Monday, Oct. 5, to get on the rolls in time to cast a ballot.

The ballot this fall is a long one. Tennessee voters will choose a governor, decide on constitutional amendments, and vote in races for U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives District 9. Seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives for Districts 80 and 94 are also on the Hardeman County ballot, along with municipal elections in Grand Junction and Hickory Valley, according to information shared by the Hardeman County Election Commission and reported by Hatchie Press.

Hardeman County Early Voting Hours and Location

All early voting takes place at a single site:

• Where: Hardeman County Election Commission, 227 Lucy Black Road, Bolivar
• Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Thursday, Oct. 29
• Weekday hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday hours: 9 a.m. to noon

Under Tennessee law, any registered voter may vote early; no excuse is required. Voters should bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a Tennessee driver license or a U.S. passport.

Key Election Deadlines

• Monday, Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election
• Oct. 14 to Oct. 29: Early voting period
• Saturday, Oct. 24: Last day to request an absentee-by-mail ballot (for voters who qualify under state law)
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time at assigned precincts

Tennessee residents can register or check their registration status online through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s GoVoteTN website. Those who prefer paper forms can contact the county election office.

New Paper Ballots for Voters

Voters this year will notice a change in how ballots are cast. A paper ballot is printed for each voter, who marks selections with a blue or black ink pen and then feeds the ballot into a scanner that reads and records the votes. Poll workers will be on hand to explain the process for anyone who has questions.

On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned precinct rather than the central early voting site. Precinct locations can be looked up through the state’s voter lookup tool or by calling the election commission.

Questions About the Election

Anyone with questions about registration, polling places, or the ballot can contact the Hardeman County Election Commission at (731) 658-4751. A sample ballot has been made available by the election commission ahead of early voting, giving voters a chance to review the races and amendments before heading to the polls.

Across the state line, Mississippi voters in Tippah and Benton counties face their own registration deadline on the same day. Our earlier report covers the Oct. 5 voter registration deadline in Tippah and Benton counties. For more Hardeman County news, see our coverage of the new Bolivar hospital set to open Nov. 9.

Source: Hatchie Press