Davidson County election officials set logistics for March 17 Berryhill municipal election

The Davidson County Election Commission on Jan. 9 approved a package of actions to run the March 17 Berryhill municipal election, including candidate certification, poll-official appointments, an early-voting schedule with a single location, and timetables for absentee and provisional-ballot processing.

Administrator Richardson told commissioners the steps complied with state law’s 90-day requirement for pre-election preparations and said staff recommend a single early-voting site because turnout in Berryhill is historically low. “There are approximately 2,000 registered voters in the Berryhill area,” Richardson said. The commission approved the candidate list for the March 17 election, appointed poll officials, and adopted the early-voting hours by voice votes.

The early-voting hours were set generally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays with a few Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The commission approved holding the absentee counting board at 9 a.m. on election day, Tuesday, March 17, in the Green Hills Room at Metro Southeast. Commissioners also scheduled opening of provisional bags at 8 p.m. on election night, March 17, and set a provisional county board meeting for Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.

A meeting to certify the Berryhill results was scheduled for March 24 at 4 p.m. at the commission’s new office. Commissioners discussed logistics including key-holders and whether oath procedures require both-party presence; Richardson and commissioners agreed to arrange coverage as needed. Several commissioners noted scheduling conflicts but approved coverage plans and the timetable.

The actions were routine, unanimously approved by voice vote and recorded as procedural steps to ensure compliance with the statutory timeline. Administrator Richardson also briefed the commission on concurrent preparations for the county and state/federal primaries. The commission adjourned after completing the election business.