posted July 16, 2007
A special election to replace Sen. Ward Crutchfield, including a primary and a general election, will cost between $30,000-$40,000, Election Administrator Bud Knowles said Monday.
Mr. Knowles said some of that cost could be allayed if one of the elections was held the same day as the Presidential Preference vote on Feb. 5.
Sen. Crutchfield, who pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges last Thursday, is expected to resign soon.
The date he selects for the resignation triggers the start of the special election process that is called by the governor.
If Sen. Crutchfield were to wait until after Nov. 4 to step down, then the County Commission would name an interim officeholder.
The Crutchfield term ends next fall.
Mr. Knowles also said he will ask state election officials about the possibility of having early voter sites as the only polling places for the Crutchfield election.
He said under that plan there would be early voting at the election office just off Amnicola Highway and at a couple of other sites. On election day, the voting would be at those three locations. There would not be voting at the 60 precincts in Hamilton County in the 10th Senatorial District.
However, attorney Jerry Summers said there may be legal problems with that plan.
Election Commissioner Mike Walden said he might not favor it anyway.
Mr. Knowles said, "It would save thousands of dollars. But it's just an idea."
After the Crutchfield resignation, Gov. Phil Bredesen would issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy.
From the day of the writ, the primary election would be within 55-60 days and the general election between 100-107 days.
Mr. Knowles said money to hold the special elections is not in his budget and there would have to be a special appropriation from the county.
He noted there was a recent special election in Red Bank to fill the seat vacated by Pat Brown on the Red Bank Commission.
Mr. Knowles said, "I thought it was going to be an easy year, then bam we have three elections."
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