Election Season Heats Up in Shelby County!
Hey there, Shelby County! Itโs that exciting time of year again when we all get to have our say in who runs our government. This fall, we have a big-ticket race for the presidency, with Vice President Kamala Harris squaring off against former President Donald J. Trump. But wait, thereโs more! There are plenty of local races and measures that youโll need to think about before casting your vote on November 5.
The Bigger Picture: Whatโs on the Ballot?
As you glance at your ballot, youโll notice that itโs packed with decisions! Aside from the presidential race, Shelby County voters have to choose their representatives in several local, state, and federal government posts. Thereโs a Tennessee U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, and every two years, we get to vote for members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
For Tennessee, itโs also a crucial moment as we decide whether to send Sen. Marsha Blackburn back to Washington or give Gloria Johnson a chance to take the reins. Additionally, your ballot will feature representatives from U.S. House Districts 8 and 9. Current Rep. David Kustoff is in a tight race against Sarah Freeman, while Rep. Steve Cohen will once again be challenged by Charlotte Bergman.
State and Local Races: What to Expect
Local races are heating up, too! In Tennessee Senate District 30, incumbent Sen. Sara Kyle is going head-to-head with Independent candidate Mitchell Morrison. The highly competitive Tennessee House of Representatives District 83 contest features incumbent Mark White facing off against Noah Nordstrom. Other districts like 86, 88, and 93 will also see similar showdowns as incumbents defend their seats against various challengers.
If you live in the suburbs, get ready! There are some juicy races happening in places like Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington. For instance, Bartlett has multiple candidates vying for the Alderman Position 6 seat, including Kenneth Hayes and Kevin Quinn. Over in Collierville, the mayoral seat is up for grabs, and itโll be either Maureen Frasier or Billy Patton taking the lead.
Memphis Voters Have Key Decisions to Make
Memphis voters have some interesting measures on their ballots. One hot topic is whether to amend the city charter for future mayoral candidates to have a two-year residency requirement. Currently, thereโs no such requirement, and this has sparked a fair bit of debate. The backstory? A court ruling last year caused a previous five-year requirement to be thrown out!
In an interesting twist, the Memphis City Council intended to put some firearms-related measures on the ballot too, but this provoked backlash from state leaders who threatened to take away funding. After some legal tussles, these measures won’t be appearing this election. If youโre in Memphis, keep an ear out for the updates regarding various ballot measures.
Donโt Forget Important Dates!
Mark your calendars, folks! Here are some essential deadlines to keep in mind:
- Registration Deadline: October 7
- Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 29
- Early Voting: October 16-31
Stay Informed!
This election is shaping up to be a crucial one for our community and the country. Making informed decisions is key, so be sure to read up on the candidates, research their stances on issues that matter to you, and donโt hesitate to talk to your friends and family about the election.
If you have questions regarding the General Election on November 5, donโt hesitate to reach out. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the polls!
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
