CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Citizens of Montgomery County are encouraged to take part in early voting period for the Oct. 7 Special Primary Election to select nominees to fill the vacancy in Congress, District 7. The vacancy was created when former Rep. Mark Green resigned to start his own company.

“This is an important election, and every vote will matter,” Amanda Joslin, the Montgomery County Administrator of Elections, said in a press release. “Go vote during early voting or on Election Day and help decide who will represent your party in the race for the 7th Congressional District.”

Early voting schedule, how it works

Early voting for the special election will take place only at the Montgomery County Election Commission office, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, on this schedule:

• Sept. 17, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 18, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 19, Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 20, Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon
• Sept. 22, Monday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 23, Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 24, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 25, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 26, Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 27, Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sept. 29, Monday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 30, Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 1, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 2, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters will be required to show valid photo identification. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee state government, or the federal government is acceptable, even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable, the release said.

Because this is a political party primary, voters will have to indicate which ballot they want, Republican or Democratic. The winner of each primary will compete, along with independent candidates, in the Dec. 2 general election.

“Election officials throughout the 7th Congressional District are working hard to ensure voters can cast their ballots,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett in the release. “I encourage all eligible voters to take part in shaping the choices for this important congressional race.”

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Who’s running for Congress

Here are the 15 candidates that will be on the ballots for Congress, District 7.

Republican Primary:

• Jody Barrett: Dickson small-business owner and state House member.
• Gino Bulso: A Brentwood trial lawyer and state House member.
• Stuart Cooper: Franklin, with Flagler Technologies.
• Adolph Agbéko Dagan: Clarksville veteran, minister and small business owner.
• Mason Foley: Franklin, former staff member for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Now with Main Street Health.
• Jason Knight: Montgomery County commissioner and former Clarksville City Council member, small-business owner and military veteran.
• Joe Leurs: Retired from Marines and Metro Nashville Police Department.
• Stewart Parks: Nashville real estate agent.
• Lee Reeves: Franklin state House member.
• Matt Van Epps: Nashville former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, military veteran.
• Tres Wittum: Former Tennessee Senate staff member.

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Democratic Primary:

• Aftyn Behn: Nashville social worker and state House member.
• Darden Copeland: Nashville businessman.
• Vincent Dixie: Nashville businessman and state House member.
• Bo Mitchell: Bellevue state House member.

| MORE: 3 Democratic candidates for Congress tell Clarksville town hall how they can ‘flip this seat’

Independents (general ballot only):

• Teresa “Terri” Christi
• Bobby Dodge: Franklin
• Robert James Sutherby
• Jon Thorp: Springfield military veteran.

U.S. House District 7 covers the western portion of Middle Tennessee, spanning from the Kentucky state line to the Alabama state line. It includes Montgomery County and portions of Nashville/Davidson County and Williamson County.

Early voting dates and registration deadlines

For the Oct. 7 primaries, early voting will be Sept. 17-Oct. 2.

For the Dec. 2 general election, voters must register by Nov. 3. Early voting will be Nov. 12-26.

You can check your registration, update your information, or register to vote at GoVoteTN.gov or by using the free GoVoteTNApp. For more information, the Montgomery County Election Commission, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, or call 931-648-5707.

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