Republican candidate challenges Rep. Jones’ qualifying petition
Jones could be removed from the primary ballot if the challenge disqualifies any signatures left on his petition.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Republican candidate for the District 52 House seat has filed an official challenge of the number of valid signatures on Rep. Justin Jones’ qualifying petition.
State law requires that candidates for a House seat must have 25 signatures on the qualifying petition of registered voters who live in the district.
The Davidson County Election Commission said Jones turned in a petition with 26 signatures. One of the signatures was thrown out because that person did not live in the district, leaving Jones with 25.
Administrator of Elections Jeff Roberts said his office received an official challenge from Laura Nelson’s committee. Nelson and Jones were the only candidates to qualify for the August primary and November general elections.
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Roberts said Nelson is challenging the signatures Jones acquired from district voters to qualify for the ballot. If any other signatures are disqualified, Jones will not be on the August ballot.
“It’s very early in the process,” Roberts said. “Nelson has not identified which signatures they are challenging or why.”
The signatures on the qualifying petition must be in the district and match the signatures on the voter registration documents.
The deadline for submitting qualifying petitions was April 4 at noon. The deadline for candidates to withdraw was April 11 at noon.
The Davidson County Election Commission has a May 3 meeting scheduled. Roberts said a special meeting could be scheduled before that date to decide on the challenge if they have finished the investigation.
Calls for comment from both Nelson and Jones have been unsuccessful.
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