Myron Iwanski
Comments I have heard regarding the upcoming election indicate some confusion about who can vote in this primary.
The election is a primary to determine who the Democratic and Republican candidates will be for countywide offices in Anderson County. This is an “open primary,†which means a voter does not register as a Democratic or Republican and can choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.
While most seeking countywide offices in Anderson County run as a party candidate, most residents I have talked to vote for who they believe are the best candidates for Anderson County—no matter the party.
It is puzzling how in national elections the percentage of registered voters voting in Anderson County is much higher than in local elections like those coming up in May and August. In the last presidential election, 60 percent of registered voters in Anderson County (29,283 of 49,169 eligible) voted. However in the last local county primary election, only 17 percent of registered voters (7,765 of 46,186) voted.
National elections are often decided by very wide margins, and in recent elections candidates barely campaigned in Tennessee because the outcome is so certain. Yet local elections in Anderson County are very often decided by a handful of votes—as seen in the 2010 Juvenile Court judge’s race, which ended in a tie.
These local races more directly affect your pocketbook, the quality of services you rely on, and the future prosperity of our county.
There are very important contested primaries for judges, county mayor, and sheriff. This election will determine whether we will have leaders that can work together to build consensus to solve problems and move our county forward.
I urge every eligible voter to pick a primary and vote for the candidates in that primary you think will do what is best for Anderson County. You can choose whether you vote in the Republican or Democratic primary.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to vote. Early voting in this primary starts April 16 and election day is May 6. Winners of these primaries will be on the Aug. 7 county general election ballot.
Call the Election Commission office at (865) 457-6238 if you have questions regarding your voting rights in this election. Visit their excellent website at acelect.com.
Myron Iwanski
County Commissioner, District 8
Cindy McCullough says
From what I have seen, TN is not completely an open primary. Wisconsin, where we moved from, was. Here is a quote from a 2010 Metro Pulse article…
“Tennessee is commonly referred to as an “open primary” state, meaning voters can choose to vote in any primary they want (though only one per election—you can’t vote in both Democratic and Republican contests on the same day). In fact, the law is a bit murkier than that. Under Tennessee Code Annotated 2-7-115, section b:
A registered voter is entitled to vote in a primary election for offices for which the voter is qualified to vote at the polling place where the voter is registered if:
(1) The voter is a bona fide member of and affiliated with the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote; or
(2) At the time the voter seeks to vote, the voter declares allegiance to the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote and states that the voter intends to affiliate with that party.
A separate section of the code allows for a challenge to any voter’s right to participate in a primary, “on grounds of party membership.” In other words, if you want to vote in the Republican primary, but somebody thinks you are not really a Republican, you could theoretically be blocked from casting a ballot.”
I am typically a Democratic voter, but in Anderson county, there would be almost no reason to vote in the primaries, if I was going to vote in the Democratic party. For me to have anything to vote for in the primaries, I need to vote Republican. But I am not sure I should morally, because of how oddly this stuff is worded above. Also seems that the Republican party having their meet the candidates night on the same night and time as the League of Women Voters, was meant to discourage Democrats in the area from voting in the Republican primary. I wish I was wrong, but that is how it struck me.
Harry Pruitt says
If what you are saying is correct, and it appears to be, Myron will be pledging to support the Republican candidates when he votes in the Republican primary on Wed. Of course he won’t do that as he is a life long Democrat, but he is so desperate to continue his personal vendetta against Mayor Frank that honesty and moral values mean little or nothing to him.
Psst…. it won’t work, Myron. She is going to win.
Happy Trails!! 🙂
Abbey Nelson says
If I recall correctly, Mr. Pruitt, the Anderson County Republican Party denied Iwanski approval to run as a Republican for Mayor. He wanted the Mayor’s post even though he promised, upon asking for the interim position then vacated by Rex Lynch, that he would NOT seek the office permanently. Apparently the ACRP checked his voting record which, as you said, indicated he is a Democrat.
Myron Iwanski says
I never asked anyone about running in the Republican party for Mayor. I never
asked the ACRP or anyone else for a determination. So if the Republican party looked at my record or made that determination it was on their initiative. If they made one they never shared the results with me.
I was asked to consider running by both Democrats and Republicans. I considered it but said I would not run and I did not run.
My voting record is public and it will show that I have voted in both Republican and Democratic primaries.
Abbey Nelson says
Exactly, Mr. Iwanski, neither party wants a fence-sitter representing them on the ballot. For instance, a pro-life, 2nd amendment, marriage-between-one-man-and-one woman, low tax and small government, religious freedom Republican or a gay marriage, tax and spend, big government with all the answers, gun controlling, pro-abortion Democrat. When you announce the primary you want to participate in, you are making a public statement on your value system. Apparently you are conflicted on many of them however your voting record as a county commissioner tells the real story.
Curt Kelsey says
Republicans should be conservatives. As a member of the Anderson County Republican party a member is expected to be a Republican. Myron Iwanski, Robin Biloski,and ,Lauren Biloski have always conducted themselves as Democrats seeking to undermine the Republican party here in Anderson county.That is unacceptable everywhere and should be here as well. A known enemy is preferable to an uncertain and unfaithful friend.
Curt Kelsey says
Good Points Harry. You have it exactly right !
Myron Iwanski says
I think you missed the point of my column. So do you think only Republicans that have
your view should be allowed to vote in this Republican primary? Are you saying that more moderate Republicans
like say Senator Howard Baker who in my opinion was a true statesman that
worked for the common good would not be allowed to vote in “your†primary?
Sid Hall says
Cindy, you now live in a very red section of a very red state. Because of this, whoever wins the Republican primary will probably win the general election. So if you want to exercise your choice of candidate, have no reservation about voting in the Republican primary.
Abbey Nelson says
You certainly have no faith in Democrats, Mr. Hall. I believe there are several Democrats who are unopposed thus assuming a Republican will win the general election is not very logical. Voting records are public information and I for one take my party affiliation seriously as do most patriotic Americans. Republican/Conservative; Democrats/Liberals
Tom Majors says
If a Democrat is running unopposed in the general election, then there would be no Republicans to vote for in that race in the Republican primary. Why would you think Mr. Hall was talking about that sort of situation? Where there is a contested general election, recent elections show a track record of a majority of the Republican candidates winning at all levels of government in the State of Tennessee (even when the candidate’s character is questionable – de Jarlais in the 4th district is an excellent example). One can vote for whoever they want to in the general election, but the historical reality in east Tennessee is that Republicans win. So if one wants a say in their representation, voting in the Republican primary is the realistic approach at the moment.
Abbey Nelson says
Not if there is a contested Democrat race which Anderson County does have. In primary elections, candidates direct their messages to their specific party’s voters stressing their beliefs to Republican or Democrat values. You are cheating the candidates in the Democrat primary who are surely working very hard to get their message out to Democrat voters in order to win the party nomination. It would seem a Democrat would be very interested in voting to get the best Democrat candidate to face a Republican in the general election. You are wrong to assume only Republicans win in East Tennessee. There is no bigger Democrat than Knoxville Mayor Rogero and Dr. Gene Caldwell was Oak Ridge’s State Representatives for many years until he retired. You, Mr. Majors, are doing those Democrats willing to run for public office a great disservice by encouraging crossover voting.
Myron Iwanski says
Cindy,
You are correct in what the law says on this, but I have checked and voting in a primary is very rarely challenged successfully in Tennessee. I doubt that reasonable Republicans or Democrats will want to try to take away someone’s right to vote in a primary. After all, candidates that have never voted in a Republican primary and were Democratic supporters have been allowed by the Republican party to run in this Republican primary – so why would they even try to stop someone from voting for these candidates in this primary.
My pubic voting record shows that I, like the vast majority of voters, have historically voted in both Republican and Democratic primaries. I have supported both Republican and Democratic candidates in elections. My support and vote go to the candidate that I think will do the best job for Anderson
County. I you and hope others will do the same.
Harry, in my 20 years on Commission I have worked cooperatively with both Democratic and Republican Mayors. What in this column encouraging people to vote do you see as a personal
vendetta against Mayor Frank?
Rob Woodward says
Commissioner,
I am a very conservative voter. Could you please tell who the Democrat supporters that have never voted Republican before are.
I would like to support the Republican candidate in these primaries and need to know which of the candidates are Democrats running as Republicans.
Thanks for your help.
Rob Woodward says
For clarification on this issue I have sent a letter to the State Election Commission, including this article and the comments encouraging voters to violate the spirit of the voting laws based on the concept that voters are “rarely challenged successfully”.
I will post any response received from the State Election Commission regarding this issue.
Curt Kelsey says
Paraphrased :
The idea is to have complete control of one party,(Democrats ) and to control 1/2 of the other party ,(Republicans), in order to achieve the agenda.
George Soros said it.
johnhuotari says
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