Tennessee GOP calls for removal of Williamson Democrat off the general ballot

After the conclusion of the May 1 primary, the Tennessee GOP is calling for a Williamson County Democratic candidate's removal off the ballot.

Members from the state's Republican party asked Democratic leaders to invalidate Williamson County Commission District 4 candidate Anne McGraw's run for office. The Williamson County Republican Party already called out McGraw and Democratic state house candidate Bill Peach for voting in the Republican primary.

"The sanctity of our elections and democratic process is a large part of what makes this nation great," Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said. "The actions of Anne McGraw and the inaction of the Tennessee Democratic Party are despicable and only work to dismantle that sanctity. That is why I am calling on Tennessee Democratic Primary Board to invalidate Anne McGraw's nomination."

Last week, the Williamson County Election Commission voted to send an allegation of Democratic voter fraud to 21st District Attorney Kim Helper.

More: Williamson election commission forwards alleged Democratic voter fraud cases to DA

McGraw won her primary on Wednesday and will face Republicans Gregg Lawrence and Chad Story.

'Confident in credentials'

But before the TNDP could involve itself, the Williamson County Democratic Party would first have to request the removal of McGraw.

WCDP chairman Holly McCall said she had no plans to invalidate McGraw's candidacy.

"The Republican Party should focus on the 26 candidates it's thrown off the ballot, including an African American woman and a Hispanic man," McCall said. "While it wasn’t Anne’s best judgment, I am confident in her Democratic credentials. I am more worried about poll workers telling Democratic voters to pick up Republican ballots on Tuesday. I will be talking to the election commission administrator about this."

More: Rae Shawn Sanchez disqualified from District 63 GOP primary against Glen Casada

More: Not Republican enough: State party disqualifies Williamson commission candidate

McGraw said the Tennessee GOP's request to have her removed from the ballot won't stall her campaign efforts before the August general.

"Most of us living here in Williamson County are focused on solving our real issues like funding our schools, not made up political ones," McGraw said.

What state law says

The part of state law related to voting in primaries is found in Tennessee Code Annotated 2-7-115.

This particular code pertains to primary voting requirements in two parts. First, voters must cast ballots in the precinct they reside. Second, the code states residents are entitled to vote in primary election if:

The voter is a bona fide member of and affiliated with the political party for which primary he or she seeks to vote or

The voter declares allegiance to the political party for which primary he or she seeks to vote, and states intent to affiliate with that party.

Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com, at 615-613-1380; or on Twitter at @emwest22.