By Stephen Morris
Chairman of the
CC Election Commission
At the Chester County Election Commission, we have received several questions and requests for clarification in the last couple of weeks about who can vote in the Republican primary in May.
We think it is best to let the Tennessee Code answer that question.
Tennessee Code Section 2-7-115(b) addresses “primary election voting requirements.” It reads:
“A registered voter is entitled to vote in a primary election . . . if:
The voter is a bona fide member of and affiliated with the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote; or
(2) At the time the voter seeks to vote, the voter declares allegiance to the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote and states that the voter intends to affiliate with that party.”
Again, the election being held on May 3, 2022 is a Republican primary. Therefore, according to the statute, any registered voter who is “a bona fide member of and affiliated with” the Republican Party, or who “declares allegiance to” and states an intent to “affiliate with” the Republican Party at the time he or she seeks to vote in the primary, is entitled to vote.
As always, if you have any other questions about elections and voting, please contact the election commission office.
