Delayed Davidson County election is on for today

Flood-ravaged county postponed vote for two weeks By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • May 18, 2010 The Metro primary elections that were postponed by this month's record floods will take place today, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. Taking center stage is the crowded Davidson County Juvenile Court clerk race with 10 candidates. "I've never seen this many people running," Election Administrator Ray Barrett said. Because of flooding, three polling stations have been relocated: Voters who normally vote at precinct 7-4 at Cornelia Fort Air Park will vote instead at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 512 Rosebank Ave. • Voters who usually vote at precinct 23-4 at Belle Meade City Hall will vote instead at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd. • Voters who normally vote at precinct 35-2 at South Harpeth Church of Christ will vote instead at Harpeth Valley School, 7840 Old Harding Pike. Any voter also can cast his or her ballot at the election commission's office at 800 Second Ave. S. With much of the county's attention still focused on flood recovery efforts, Barrett said he didn't anticipate a high turnout. The election originally was scheduled for May 4, but the election commission sought to have it moved back two weeks, and a judge approved that request. "It's a hard one to guess with this being put off two weeks and all of this stormwater," Barrett said. "I think it's going to be a low turnout." Juvenile Court Clerk Vic Lineweaver has six Democratic primary opponents vying for his seat, including two elected officials in school board member Karen Johnson and Metro Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite. Court officer David Smith has raised more money than any of them. Lineweaver, himself a former councilman, has held the seat for eight years. Jeffrey Brousal, Patricia Courts and Howard Jones are also on the Democratic primary ballot. Councilman Eric Crafton is among the three candidates on the Republican ballot, joined by Annette Crim and April Penning-ton. Incumbent Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence also is facing a challenge from a fellow elected official. Councilman Michael Craddock is challenging Torrence, who has held the post for 16 years, in the Democratic primary. Circuit Court Clerk Richard Rooker, another incumbent, will be challenged on the Democratic primary ballot by Preston Crim.