Three candidates running for the Livingston Board of Aldermen must get only a single vote to secure their positions in next Tuesday’s uncontested municipal election.
Overton County Administrator Of Elections Craig Story said state law and the city charter likely require the election to be held even without competition or write-in options. Story said the election office is responsible for facilitating the process.
“Well, we’ve got to have at least one person vote for each of them for that to take place, but we’ve got a few that have already been done by absentee ballot,” Story said. “So, you know, we’re starting the ball rolling now.”
Story said the city charter staggers elections every two years, typically alternating between three aldermen seats and a cycle featuring three aldermen plus the mayor. Story said while more than 2,000 people are eligible to vote in Livingston, the last uncontested race saw a turnout of only about 50 voters.
“It’s not a common thing that you see, but we have had it happen at least once more previously where we had an uncontested race in the city election,” Story said. “Well, I mean, we’re going to elect three aldermen regardless of what the turnout is.”
Story said the June 2 contest serves as a general election rather than a primary, meaning the candidates will not appear on the August ballot. Story said the lack of opposition or a contested race means the county is not required to provide early voting for this cycle.
“Well, I couldn’t tell you,” Story said regarding the lack of write-in candidates. “You know, that’s always an option if someone misses the qualifying deadline, but you’d think that if somebody’s interested in a position like that they would want to go ahead and be on the ballot because that’s always a better option than trying to run as a write-in.”
Story said the election office will follow standard procedures by reviewing any provisional ballots before certifying and releasing the final results. Story said he does not anticipate any candidate failing to receive the single vote necessary to win.
“No, I can’t remember an election where that’s ever been the case,” Story said. “I wouldn’t anticipate it. All they’ve got to do is vote for themselves.”
Polls will be open from 9am to 7pm on election day.
