Commission waiting on software fix to certify August elections

Members of the Dyer County Election Commission were not able to certify the August election at Wednesday's meeting due to software issues with the State of Tennessee.

"We will not be able to certify today," Dyer County Election Commission Administrator Jane Heathcott informed commissioners present at Wednesday's meeting.

Heathcott said new software from the state, intended to make the certification process easier, had not been put in place by state officials in time for Wednesday's meeting.

A lunch meeting has been set for noon on Monday, Aug. 18, to give state officials time to complete the transition.

Commissioners present were able to call the November election for the president of the United States, however, and complete several other orders of business.

Members of the Election Commission present at the meeting included chairman Thomas Parnell, vice-chairman Vernita Turner, secretary Joe Enoch and board members Bobby Cook and Harold Sartin.

Heathcott, Election Commission deputies and employees were on hand to report a smooth election process on the whole for the August election, reporting typical feedback from voters.

The less-than-desired turnout for the August election may have been beneficial for members of the commission in their first election without a technician present from the company providing the electronic voting machines.

"The low turnout helped get the bugs out of the system," said Sartin. "Now we should be ready to go."

Heathcott requested commissioners continue early-voting procedures for precincts across the county for the next election, with changes made to hours at the Dyersburg Mall, and the Finley and RoEllen precincts.

"The early-voting satellites on the August ballot were a test," said Heathcott. "With the equipment and personnel, it was a success."

Enochs made a motion to follow Heathcott's recommendation for early-voting hours and precincts. Turner added a second and the motion passed unanimously.

Early voting in precincts throughout the county will take place Oct. 15 through 30.

Precincts and their hours include:

The Election Commission office - 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays

The Dyersburg Mall - 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturdays

Newbern precinct - 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Finley precinct - 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

RoEllen precinct - 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Heathcott said the hours of the Finley and RoEllen precincts reflect the most popular voting times in all precincts during the August election.

At the meeting, commissioners also voted to alter the training provided for precinct workers.

Traditionally, all precinct workers have attended classes on the same day. At the school, workers were divided by their positions and trained by members of the Election Commission.

Heathcott requested allowing Jolie Agee to teach the classes at separate times, assisted by the commissioners.

"It's an effort to spend more time with (the precinct workers,)" said Heathcott. "And not be in such a rush."

Cook made a motion to make the change in training, with Turner adding a second. The motion carried unanimously.