local elections

Click on the Picture to download my PDF ballot

While it may seem like March 2009 is unfathomably distant, especially with all that is happening in the next several weeks, today marks the starting point for Chattanooga's municipal elections, as candidates may begin picking up qualifying papers from the county election commission.

We saw this during the primaries with statements such as, "The Iowa caucuses should only be for Iowans," but it's starting back up for the general election:

As a reminder for my friends in Tennessee, you have until October 5 (30 days prior to the general election November 4) to submit your voter registration if you are either a) not registered to vote or b) have not voted within the last two November general elections.

Three men -- each a community leader in his own right -- have qualified for the special election being held on November 4 in Chattanooga's 5th Council District. While your Ticketeer is not a resident of District 5, I have been asked to moderate a Brainerd candidate forum in about a month, and so it goes without saying that I will stay neutral in this race.

Voters in Putnam County seem unconcerned with the August election:

Knox County Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay notes that the ballot order for local elections has been set for the August 7th county general and state primary election. (Early voting begins July 18th!)

"We must consciously try to keep people out of jail in the first place, address their needs and addictions while incarcerated and keep them from coming back once they leave.

Gail Kerr reports that races for school board have gotten more fierce and could require candidate warchests of $25,000 to be competitive:

Mayor Karl Dean promised to fix public schools, a system so broken the state may come in and take it over.