Image Credit: Tennessee Secretary of State
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Tennessee Coordinator of Elections is asking all 14 counties in the 7th Congressional District to have their results certified from the upcoming Dec. 2 Special General Election by Dec. 5 in an effort to restore Congressional representation to the district as quickly as possible.
Coordinator Mark Goins reportedly contacted all the counties in the district to request they expedite their certifications since there is only a single office on the ballot and he believes it should not take more than three days post-election to confirm which of the two candidates will head to Washington D.C.
“A few weeks ago, I requested that county election commissions complete certification of the special congressional election on or before December 5. This election includes only one office on the ballot, and the process should allow for a swift, accurate, and efficient certification,” Goins wrote to The Nashville Banner.
“Until the winner is officially sworn in, Tennesseans of this district have no voice in Congress. Election officials have a duty to uphold the integrity of the process while also ensuring that voters are not unnecessarily denied their full representation.”
At the state’s request, Elections Administer Jeff Robers of the Davidson County Election Commission introduced a resolution to change their certification date from Dec. 12 to Dec. 5. The commission voted 4-1 to move up the timeline.
But not all counties have been as responsive to Goins’ prompting. In Montgomery County, an administrative employee of the County Election Commission said that while they have received the state’s communication requesting the date change, they have not discussed it in any commission meetings or made any decisions.
An employee of the Williamson County Election Commission stated they will not decide on a certification date until their commission meeting, which is not until Election Day, Dec. 2.
Representatives in Hickman, Humphreys, and Perry Counties all believe they will be done with certifications before Dec. 5 but say they remain unclear as to why the state made the request.
Meanwhile Stewart County relayed they had been asked but hadn’t set the date as normally they wait a week before finalizing certification. They also claim they don’t know why they were being asked to move up the date.
Officials in Robertson and Wayne Counties stated they had not received any requests from the state, but Goins insisted all counties were contacted and said that those who claim the state had not reached out is “either mistaken or there has been a misunderstanding.”
Some are speculating Goins’ request for brevity stems from a desire to ensure a Republican majority for an upcoming House vote concerning the Jeffrey Epstein files, but Goins denied any political motive in the timeline and confirmed no one from House leadership had pressed for the certification’s acceleration.
“I have had no contact with Speaker Johnson’s office, nor has anyone acting on his behalf requested expedited certification. In the normal course of preparing to certify federal offices, I recognized that Tennesseans deserve representation as soon as possible,” Goins said.
In relation to any votes regarding Epstein, Democrat candidate Aftyn Behn committed to releasing the complete files if elected. “The victims have waited long enough. They deserve the truth- not more cover-ups to protect the powerful. If I’m elected, I’ll vote to release the full Epstein files, period. My Republican opponent can either stand with survivors, or he can stand with Epstein,” Behn told The Nashville Banner.
A spokesperson for Republican nominee Van Epps did not comment on whether he would sign the petition to compel a House vote but provided this statement: “We support total transparency just like the President and Speaker. The work that the oversight committee is doing with subpoena power will give the American people answers.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Inconsiderate quitter Mark Green never was much of a Congressman, should be charged with dereliction of duty for his causing this coming to be.