The Cannon County Republican Party Executive Committee would like to issue a statement concerning last week’s article entitled “Confusion Over Who Makes Decision Of Administrator of Elections” submitted by Jim Gibbs.The Executive Committee was unaware of any so-called confusion, telephone calls or discussion concerning the Cannon County Election Commission and the possible change in its Administration as was reported. The Cannon County Republican Party has never had any authority to monitor the Cannon County Election Office and will not make it a policy to do so as was stated in the article. There has never been a question of any unfair elections held in Cannon County that we are aware of and we will continue to trust the bi-partisan Election Commission Board that is appointed by the State of Tennessee Election Commission to do the job they are entrusted to do. We would also like to point out that Secretary of State Tre Hargett does not appoint members of the Tennessee Election Commission as reported by Mr. Gibbs.
Mr. Gibbs recently conducted an interview on Channel Four news and expressed his opposition against HB0934 submitted by State Representative Judd Matheny. Mr. Gibbs does not represent the Cannon County Republican Party Executive Committee in his beliefs or opinions concerning this bill. The Executive Committee would like to state that we are neutral on this bill and shall remain so despite Mr. Gibbs opposition of the bill.
It has been and shall remain the belief of the Cannon County Republican Party Executive Committee that every individual has the right to free speech and to work for a cause that they believe in. However, please note that any future editorials, articles or views made by Jim Gibbs will be his opinion and his opinion alone and they do not represent the views or policies of the Cannon County Republican Party Executive Committee.
Thank You,
John Wilkinson Secretary
Nathan Nichols Treasurer
Dana Davenport Vice-Treasurer
Corey Davenport Past Chairman
Anna Pittman Auxiliary Member
Cannon County Republican Party Executive Committee
The statement was issued in response to the following article submitted by Cannon County Republican Party Chairman Jim Gibbs which appeared in the Cannon Courier newspaper this past Tuesday
Republican Party Chairman Jim Gibbs Clarifies Election Commission Process
Recently talk has been going around Cannon County regarding a change in administration at the Cannon County Election Commission. On Tuesday, March 31st, an article was posted on a local online news source stating that nominations for the position of Cannon County Administrator of Elections for the years 2015-2017 will be accepted from the floor at the April 13th meeting of the Election Commission. The source of the article which appears t written as an agenda is not identified. Currently, Dorinda Mankin is the Administrator of Elections.
Based upon the number of phone calls to the Republican Party, many people believe that the change in administration is the responsibility of the Cannon County Republican Party. That is simply not the case.
The confusion may come from the fact that the former Chairman of the Cannon County Republican Party who was Corey Davenport is also the current Chairman of the Cannon County Election Commission. Other members of the five member board are: Sue Patrick who serves as Secretary, Jackie Gannon, both representing the Democrat Party and Matt Studd and Mike Grosch who along with Corey Davenport represents the Republican Party.
Corey Davenport is no longer in charge of the Cannon County Republican Party and the term of every Cannon County Election Commissioner expires this year. Some members could be reappointed.
The Cannon County Election Commissioners hold office for two years. As mentioned, the current terms of all members end this year and all can be replaced. The State Election Commission is responsible for appointing five county election commissioners for every county in the state and monitoring the activities and performance of the county election commissions. The Cannon County Republican delegation in the Tennessee General Assembly will recommend three of the applicants to serve on the Election Commission and the local Democrat Party will recommend two. Usually, the Tennessee Election Commission follows the recommendation of the minority party chairperson and that of the majority party General Assembly members.
The Tennessee Election Commission is part of the state’s Division of Elections, which, in turn, is part of the Department of State. The commission is responsible for appointing local election commissioners in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties, then monitoring the activities and performance of those individual county election commissions. Members to the Tennessee Election Commission are appointed by Secretary of State Tre Hargett. The state election commissioners are:
Donna Barrett of Murfreesboro, a member since March 2014
Kent D. Younce of Lafollette, a member since June 2009
Judy Blackburn of Morristown, a member since June 2009
Greg Duckett of Memphis, a member since May 2007
Tommy Head of Clarksville, a member since May 2007
James H. Wallace, Jr. of Jackson, a member since May 1995
Tom Wheeler of Clinton, a member since February 1992
The current commissioners will serve until May 2015.
The Cannon County Republican Party will monitor the activities of the Cannon County Election Commission and will strive to insure that fair elections are conducted and as many polling places as possible remain open, but has no control over the Cannon County Election Commission. If any person feels they have a grievance with Cannon County Election Commission, the Cannon County Republican Party recommends that you file your concerns or complaint with the State of Tennessee Department of State Division of Elections, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue 9th floor, William Snodgrass Tower, Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: 615-741-7964 Fax: 615-741-1278 . You could also attend the meeting and contact the chairperson of the Cannon County Election Commission and ask that your grievance considered.
