Davidson County Election Commission announces plan to rectify early voting errors

After more than 200 Davidson County voters were given incorrect ballots during the early voting period, the Davidson County Election commission announced on Saturday procedures for Election Day intended to give those voters the opportunity to cast votes in their correct electoral districts. 

“We have posted important information on our website nashville.gov/vote for all Davidson County voters,” said Jeff Roberts, Davidson County Administrator of Elections. “A red banner at the top of the page includes a link to ‘Important Election Information.’ When voters click on that link, they will find guidance for what to do if they voted early and what to do if they intend to vote on Election Day.”

The information includes a list of voters who may have been assigned incorrect early voting ballots. Voters finding their name on the list can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day only at the Davidson County Election Commission office, 1417 Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville, not at assigned Election Day polling locations.

Roberts’ recommends those who did not cast ballots during the early voting period go to their assigned polling location. If districts were not assigned correction, voters will get a paper ballot with correct choices.

 “We want to emphasize to early voters that if their name appears on the list, they can vote a provisional ballot at our office,” continued Roberts. “We have prepared a personalized envelope for each of them, containing their correct ballot. As always, we will check their photo ID and then provide them their ballot. They will not find this special provisional ballot at their assigned polling location.” 

Provisional ballots will  only be counted if the outcome of an election is contested. 

On Tuesday, the Associated Press first reported that in at least one precinct some voters were given the wrong ballots, casting votes for candidates who did not represent their districts.

Roberts said on Wednesday the errors extended to voters in three districts and the races included state Senate, House and Congressional districts.

The ACLU of Tennessee filed a lawsuit Friday afternoon, naming as defendants Roberts, the members of the Davidson County Election Commission, Gov. Bill Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and state election coordinator Mark Goins. Within an hour of the suit being filed, the parties reached a legal agreement.