Early voting is underway for the August 6 county general election and Republican and Democratic primary elections in Polk County.
Among the choices facing voters is a question of whether or not to add a one-half percent sales tax, and decisions on school board representatives from District 3 (East Polk County), a general sessions judge and the assessor of property.
If approved, the sales tax increase in the unincorporated areas of the county would be solely for school construction. The tax collected inside incorporated areas would be disbursed by state law, according to the ballot question.
In the District 3 school board race, incumbents Robert “Robbie” Cole and James “Mush” Davis are being challenged by Jill Crago Rose and Bryan A. Todd. Two of the four will be elected.
Jeremy Tipton, Keisha Powell and Ralph Mike Worley are all seeking the constable position in District 3.
Brooklyn Townsend, who is currently serving as General Sessions judge, is seeking return to the seat. She is being challenged by Laura Crawford.
With the retirement of Randy Yates from his assessor of property seat, three candidates are seeking the position. They include Ramona Goforth-Price, Jason Pankey and Seth McClary.
Republican voters will also be selecting a U.S. Senate nominee from among a field of 15 candidates.
Chuck Fleischman is running unopposed as the U.S. House of Representatives nominee on the Republican ballot, and will face Democrat challenger Meg Gorman in the November election.
Voters can cast ballots at the Election Commission office in Benton Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Early voting will be held at the Copper Basin Community Center in Ducktown July 22, 25 and 29. Voters can cast ballots upstairs between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on those days.
Absentee ballot applications will be accepted through July 30.
Questions can be directed to the Election Commission at 423-338-4531, according to information from the commission.