NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — After severe storms and a tornado ripped through Middle Tennessee, some polling locations were impacted by the damage on Super Tuesday. Some locations were destroyed or damaged, meaning several polling places had to be condensed into others that were untouched.
Long lines formed as a result of that, which The Tennessee Democratic Party to file a lawsuit in hopes of giving voters more time to cast their ballots.
The TNDP filed the suit against the Davidson County Election Commission and Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Chancellor Ellen Lyle ruled in favor of a petition by the Tennessee Democratic Party. All Davidson County polling locations will until 8 p.m. Five supersites open until 10 p.m.
The Super Sites are as follows:
Voting at 2 Election Commission Offices:
The Election Commission Main Office at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike and the Satellite Office at the Metro Office Building, 800 Second Avenue South, 4th floor.
Voting at CLEVELAND PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
Ross Elementary School
East Regional Community Center
Shelby Community Center
Cora Howe School
Martha O’Bryan Center
McFerrin Community Center
Voting at DONELSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
DuPont Tyler Middle School
Hermitage Presbyterian Church
Ruby Major Elementary School
Hermitage Hills Baptist Church
Hermitage Community Center
Hermitage Elementary School
Tennessee School for the Blind
Two Rivers Middle School
Donelson Heights United Methodist Church
Central Pike Church of Christ
Voting at PEARL COHN HIGH SCHOOL
Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church
Watkins Community Center
Union Hall 737
Robert Churchwell Elementary School
Secretary of State Tre Hargett released the following statement:
“Only the judge has the authority to make this decision. We do not have the ability to extend voting hours in Tennessee, and it’s important to note this order only applies to Davidson County. We will be supporting the Davidson County Election Commission to abide by the order. As a result of this ruling, Davidson County will not be able to report early voting results until after 10 p.m. CST tonight. The other 94 counties will be able to report early voting results as their polls close. Voters should visit the Davidson County Election Commission [nashville.gov] website to find extended polling locations and extended hours.”
The democratic party released the following statement:
"Following the destruction of the Middle Tennessee Tornado in the early morning hours of Super Tuesday, hundreds of voters’ ability to cast their vote across Davidson County was obstructed. More than 15 polling locations suffered electrical and structural damages and many polls were delayed from opening until 8:00 AM. Hundreds of voters that arrived at 7:00 AM were not able to cast their vote, and furthermore, many arriving throughout the day found their polling place closed.
The Tennessee Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit seeking legal injunction against Davidson County Election Commission and Tennessee Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, to extend the time polling locations are open by 3 hours. Extending the poll close time from 7:00PM to 10:00PM would provide sufficient time for voters across the county to exercise their right and cast their vote. Failing to extend polling hours would cause irreparable harm to our democratic process."
Robert Churchwell Elm one of the #SuperTuesday polling locations closed because of tornado damage. Voters should vote at Pearl Cohn High School. #NC5 pic.twitter.com/Mm8A7FppUh
— Ben Hall (@NC5_BenHall) March 3, 2020
Davidson and Wilson County polls opened at 8 a.m.
This story will be updated as more information is released.
