SEVIERVILLE — There are three municipal elections this year, but only Sevierville has a contested seat, meaning there will be no early voting for Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.
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In Gatlinburg, newcomer Alex Abrahams had returned a petition to run against Commissioner Mark McCown, but he didn’t have enough signatures to qualify, Election Administrator Ed Kuncitis said.
“If he was doing a write-in candidacy it would have had to be turned in by noon yesterday,” he said.
Under Tennessee’s election law, a candidate must give notice of a write-in candidacy. Election commissions cannot consider write-in votes for candidates who do not meet that requirement.
That means McCown and fellow incumbent Mitch Rader have no opposition as they look to hold their seats for another four years.
Gatlinburg’s election is set for 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. May 18.
In Pigeon Forge, no one picked up a petition to run against commissioners Jay Ogle, Tony Watts and Kevin McClure. They appear set to return for new, four-year terms in their seats.
Pigeon Forge’s municipal election is set for 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. May 11.
There is one contested election on the ballot in Sevierville. Businessman Joey Ohman is seeking the seat of Alderman Jim McGill.
Mayor Robbie Fox and Alderman Mitch Rader are running without opposition.
In Sevierville, the mayor runs for a two-year term, while aldermen seek four-year terms.
The elections are staggered, meaning the mayor and the remaining aldermen will be up for election in 2023.
Early voting for the Sevierville will begin April 16, and lasts through May 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. until noon Saturdays.
Election day in Sevierville is May 6.
The deadline to register to vote in Sevierville is Tuesday, April 6 — a month ahead of that election.