Giles County Election Commission
The mission of the Giles County Election Commission is to ensure the integrity of the electoral process within our county. We endeavor to carefully administer election laws and provide the most efficient, accurate and secure election process possible. To accomplish this, the Commission works closely with the County Election Office to register voters, conduct elections, provide voter and candidate education, and comply with all state reporting requirements.
Election Office & Commissioners
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Election Office
Zena Dickey: Administrator of Elections Anne Russell: Deputy Dianne Bass: Deputy |
Election Commissioners
Chairman: Kathy Bassham Shara Flacy, Judy C. Mitchell, Maxie Trotter, Chris Morris |
Election Commission Statement on Absentee By-Mail Voting
The state guidelines for eligibility to vote absentee by-mail are included in the "Voter FAQ" tab. Unfortunately voting by mail has become a politically fraught issue, however, the Giles County Election Commission would like to address this from a practical, apolitical perspective. An objective of the Election Commission is to encourage maximum voter participation. Another objective is to maximize Election Office efficiency and vote-tallying precision. This information is provided to optimize these goals.
The Election Commission would first like to highlight the excruciating standards of sanitation that the Election Office has implemented on behalf of voters. Poll workers wear PPE and thoroughly sanitize voting machines between users. Social distancing is marked and enforced. Voters will find that each poll’s standards meet or exceed those of any store or church they frequent.
Secondly, the Election Commission would like to encourage early voting, as this alleviates lines and potential delays on election day.
Additionally, there is a sense of finality and completeness when a voter opts to personally record their vote at a polling place. While the USPS is diligent in handling absentee ballots, delays and/or routing errors are possible. For those who are eligible and feel they must vote via mail, the Election Commission strongly encourages requesting a ballot as soon as possible, and returning the ballot with ample time to be received in the Election Office well before the 8th of November. That said, voting in-person should be considered the primary, preferred means of casting a ballot.
A final point: If you request an absentee ballot, it would be most helpful to follow through and return the ballot via mail. In the past there have been voters that requested absentee ballots, didn’t return them, and then showed up in-person to vote on election day. This is an inconvenience for the Election Office and creates a potential time-consuming delay at the poll. Also be advised that returning an absentee ballot will require the voter to affix first-class USPS postage; absentee ballots CANNOT be dropped off at the Election Office.
The Election Commission would first like to highlight the excruciating standards of sanitation that the Election Office has implemented on behalf of voters. Poll workers wear PPE and thoroughly sanitize voting machines between users. Social distancing is marked and enforced. Voters will find that each poll’s standards meet or exceed those of any store or church they frequent.
Secondly, the Election Commission would like to encourage early voting, as this alleviates lines and potential delays on election day.
Additionally, there is a sense of finality and completeness when a voter opts to personally record their vote at a polling place. While the USPS is diligent in handling absentee ballots, delays and/or routing errors are possible. For those who are eligible and feel they must vote via mail, the Election Commission strongly encourages requesting a ballot as soon as possible, and returning the ballot with ample time to be received in the Election Office well before the 8th of November. That said, voting in-person should be considered the primary, preferred means of casting a ballot.
A final point: If you request an absentee ballot, it would be most helpful to follow through and return the ballot via mail. In the past there have been voters that requested absentee ballots, didn’t return them, and then showed up in-person to vote on election day. This is an inconvenience for the Election Office and creates a potential time-consuming delay at the poll. Also be advised that returning an absentee ballot will require the voter to affix first-class USPS postage; absentee ballots CANNOT be dropped off at the Election Office.
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Giles County Election Office
222 W. Madison St Pulaski TN 38478 Phone: 931 363 2424 Email: gcelection@gilescountytn.gov |