If you live in the right district, you have the chance to vote either for or against Carr during the early voting period in the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 14.
Carr decided he wanted to return to Capitol Hill after Jim Tracy resigned his seat last year to take a new job as Tennessee state director of Rural Development.
Shortly after, Carr and fellow Republican Shane Reeves announced their intentions to run in the GOP primary.
Carr is best known for serving in the Tennessee State House and running against longtime U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. Reeves' claim to fame is found in Reeves-Sain Drugstore and TwelveStone Medical Partners.
Early voting began Friday, Jan. 5 and runs through Jan. 20 for the primary, set for Jan. 25, in the special election to fill Jim Tracy's vacated seat. The special election will be held Tuesday, March 13.
If you haven't decided whether to vote for or against Joe Carr, WGNS Radio is broadcasting a candidate forum with Carr and Reeves from 8:10-9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12.
Listeners will be able to phone or text questions to the radio broadcast at 615-893-1450.
"This will be a great way to learn how the two Republican candidates stand on the issues, plus the public will be able to ask questions that specifically focus on their concerns and interests," the station said in its announcement of the forum.
If you don't live in the district, unfortunately, you can't vote in the election. The district includes eastern Rutherford County, along with Bedford, Marshall, Moore and Lincoln counties. If you want to protest Carr's candidacy, you'll just have to wait until he runs against Lamar Alexander again.
The winner of the GOP primary will face off against Democrat Gayle Jordan, who is running unopposed.
Early voting details
Early voting locations are:
• Rutherford County Election Commission, 1 South Public Square, Murfreesboro
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. & Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon
• SportsCom, 2310 Memorial Blvd. Murfreesboro
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon
No reason is needed to vote early. If needed, the voter may change his/her address or name while voting early. Inactive voters can also be reactivated. We strongly encourage candidates and their workers, who may encounter a voter who needs to change his/her name or address, to do so prior to the deadline to register or at the latest, during early voting.
Voters need to bring a state or federal government issued ID with them. The voter's registration card is our first choice because it has the voter’s number on it and speeds up the process.
Hours for early voting will be decided by the Election Commission and announced for each election.
On the last day of early voting, machines will be sealed and taken to a secure location. Early voting results will be tallied after closing of the polls at 7:00 p.m. on election night.
Key dates
Primary
Friday, Jan. 5-20: Early voting for primary election
Thursday, Jan. 18: Absentee request deadline for primary election
Thursday, Jan. 25: ELECTION DAY – Special Primary
General Election
Wednesday, Feb. 21: Early voting begins for general election
Tuesday, March 6: Absentee request deadline for general election
Thursday, March 8: Early voting ends for general election
Tuesday, March 13: ELECTION DAY – Special General
Source: Tenn. Secretary of State
Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics and true crime podcasts, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.
Top photo by Tim Choate
