Election 2018: U.S. Senate, TN governor's races expected to draw Rutherford voters to polls

Citizens not yet registered to vote for candidates for U.S. Senate, governor and other offices have until Tuesday to do so in time for the Nov. 6 election. 

Rutherford County Election Commission Administrator Alan Farley expects a record of more than 170,000 registered voters will be eligible to vote in the county. Early voting takes place from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1.

"The top of the ballot is what's driving it all," said Farley, adding that it's rare to have two open seats for statewide elections. "That's going to cause the turnout and the level of enthusiasm to increase."

Voters will also elect candidates to seats in the Tennessee General Assembly, U.S. House of Representatives and city offices for La Vergne, Eagleville and Smyrna.

Additionally, Rutherford County voters have the option of choosing from convenient voting centers on election day, rather than an assigned precinct.

Game changer:Rutherford County's convenient voting centers 'a game changer' for voters, poll workers

What races are on the ballot?

La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen: Mayor Dennis Waldron faces current Alderman Jason Cole for the city's top post. Six are competing for two aldermen seats: incumbent Melisa Brown, along with Jim Anderson, Matt Church, Aaron Holladay, Joey King and Steve Noe.

Eagleville City Council: Mayor Travis Brown is seeking a four-year term against two challengers: Councilman Chris Hendrix and Chad Leeman. Vice Mayor Bill Tollett and Councilman Brandon Emamalie face Jonathan Armstrong, Jason Blair and Richard Inglis for three available seats.

Smyrna Town Council: Mayor Mary Esther Reed and council members Vice Mayor Marc Adkins, H.G. Cole and Gerry Short are all unopposed in bids for four-year terms.

Results 2018: Rutherford County Mayor, Sheriff, Commission, state House and Senate

U.S. House of Representatives, 4th District: Incumbent Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Democrat Mariah Phillips and independent Michael Shupe

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen are the leading candidates

Tennessee Senate District 13: Republican Dawn White, Democrat Kelly Northcutt and independent Ginger Smith

Tennessee House District 34: Republican Tim Rudd and Democrat Jennifer Vannoy

TennesseeHouse District 37: Republican Charlie Baum and Democrat Deanna Debow Osborne

TennesseeHouse District 48: Republican Bryan Terry and Democrat Matt Ferry

TennesseeHouse District 49: Republican Mike Sparks and Democrat Chris Mayor

Tennessee Governor: Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Karl Dean are the front-runners in the race

How to register to vote 

Those seeking to register by Tuesday's deadline have several options:

• Visit the Rutherford County Election Commission website, http://election.rutherfordcountytn.gov. 
• Fill out registration forms at the Election Commission office on the Square in downtown Murfreesboro, at dropboxes in Linebaugh Library System branches in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Eagleville, Rutherford County Clerk offices in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, the Murfreesboro Driver Services and La Vergne City Hall. Forms completed and placed into boxes by Tuesday evening will be accepted. 
• Mail forms to Rutherford County Election Commission address, 1 S. Side Square, Suite 103, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 

Registration efforts draw 300 MTSU, high school students

Students from another state or county can still register to vote in Rutherford if they choose, Farley said.

"It's whatever address you consider to be your home address for students," said Farley, adding that voters must be 18 and a U.S. citizen free of felonies, unless voting rights have been restored.

Farley and his staff participated in "True Blue Voter" registration drives at Middle Tennessee State University, pulling in 200 total students, including 65 now registered within Rutherford County. 

The Election Commission staff has also worked with high school student councils to register more than 150 students, Farley said. 

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Reach Scott Broden through email at sbroden@dnj.com, phone at 615-278-5158 or on Twitter @ScottBroden.