Early voting starts this week

Early voting in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet begins this Wednesday.

Wilson County voters have the opportunity to vote for governor, the legislature, Congress as well as two constitutional questions.

One question constitutionally defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The other would allow local governments to freeze property tax rates for those aged 65 and older, with an undetermined income limit to be set by the legislature.

In addition, Watertown and Mt. Juliet will be electing for their city council and commission, respectively.

Polling in Lebanon will be at the Election Commission at 203 West Main St. in Lebanon, while Mt. Juliet voters will cast their ballots at the Mt. Juliet Community Center at Charlie Daniels Park.

All the iVotronic voting machines will be in place, said Assistant Administrator of Elections Martha Ann Sutherland, with poll workers trained to help those unfamiliar with the new technology.

"We will have people at both early voting locations, and of course, every one of our machine operators will be trained and ready to instruct each and every voter as to the operation of the new machine if they did not get to vote on them last time," Sutherland said.

The Mt. Juliet polling site will have the same open dates and times as the Lebanon site, running through Nov. 2. Sites are open 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday.

Voters need to bring identification to the polling site.

Despite a somewhat disappointing early voting turnout in August, Sutherland said the Election Commission is planning for a mass turnout.
"We're hoping for a very good turnout," Sutherland said. "We are preparing for all eligible voters to participate either in early voting or on election day."

Staff Writer Jason Cox can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 45 or by e-mail at jason.cox@lebanondemocrat.com.