by Alexandra Edwards

The 2010 Bradley County elections are now in full swing.  Candidates running for partisan county office seats have had a busy time the past several weeks campaigning, attending political forums and placing yard signs all over town. 
Now it is time for the tax paying citizen to decide which candidates from each party, Democrat and Republican, should go through to the August General elections.

Citizens that are not yet registered to vote have only until April 5 if they wish to vote in these very important upcoming primary elections. Voters can  sometimes be confused with partisan Primary Elections. Many do not realize that not all the candidates they intended to vote for will be on ballot they choose at the voting booth. Therefore, it's a good idea before going to vote, check whether the candidate of your choice is running as a  Republican or Democrat. Also, many times voters seem less enthusiastic about voting  in a Primary, thinking that they can wait and vote for the candidates of their choice in the main General Election, only to find that those candidates did not make it in the Primary and therefore no longer on the ballot.

Typically in Bradley County the majority of candidates run on a Republican ticket, usually leaving the Democratic Primary ballot with only a few unopposed candidates. Important to remember too is that when voting in a Republican Primary, the Democrat voter still has the opportunity to vote for the Democratic candidate in the August General Election.

Early Voting for the county primary elections will start April 14, 2010 through to April 29, 2010  Monday through Saturday, 9am - 6pm. After that date voters need to vote at their precinct on the actual election day May 4th.  Early voting locations will be: (1) the Election Commission Office, 155 Broad Street, in the courthouse annex building in downtown Cleveland. (2) Bradley Square Mall, Paul Huff Pkwy in the Old Game Room  just off the Food Court area. (3) Blyth-Bower Elementary School, 604 20th Street SE.

Voter registration information, election schedules and early voting dates and other useful information can be found on the Bradley County Elections  website
www.bradleyelections.com. On election night May 4th, up to the minute results of the election can also be viewed on the website.

During this time of global  recession, the local elections are of vital importance. Citizens need a strong voice to represent them, one that will carry not only at the local level but right up to state and federal levels. Remember, elected candidates in the 2010 elections will be those that will be officially representing the citizens of Bradley County for the next four years.

During the month of April, citizens have the opportunity to become informed voters by; attending County Commission meetings and watching our present elected officials in action, by attending  political forums and rallies, reading the political yard signs, as some candidates include a website. County Commission meetings for the month of April will be held at the courthouse on  Monday  5 at 7:00pm (regular voting meeting),  Monday 12 at noon (work session), Monday 19 at 10:00 am (regular voting meeting) and Monday 26 at 7:00pm (work session). All government meetings are open to the public.

Below are Sample Ballots of the May 4, 2010 Bradley County Primaries. For more information on the upcoming elections call the Bradley County Election Commission office (423) 728-7115.

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