Tyler Whetstone

twhetstone@jacksonsun.com

Today is Election Day, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Madison County and most other West Tennessee counties. Polls are open from 9 to 7 in Haywood and Weakley counties.

In order to participate, voters must have a photo ID issued by the state or federal government. Ideal types of IDs to bring with you to the polls are Tennessee driver's licenses, Tennessee handgun permits, U. S. passports or Veterans Administration IDs, according to Kim Buckley, Madison County administrator of elections. The ID does not have to be current, but it must have a photo.

Voters who do not have a photo ID will be allowed to vote on a provisional ballot and will then have until 4 p.m. on Thursday to bring a lawful ID to the Election Commission office, at 311 North Parkway, in order for your vote to count.

Voters are not required to have their voter registration card in order to vote, but if you have one, you are encouraged to use it.

Voters must vote at the precinct where they are registered, which is listed on their most recent voter registration card, Buckley said. Every year people try to vote at the Madison County Election Commission, the site for early voting, but on Election Day it isn't a polling location, she said.

If voters are unsure of where they are registered to vote, they can locate their polling place by visiting madisonelections.com or by calling the Madison County Election Commission office at 660-1796.

The state Division of Elections staff is available to answer questions or listen to any concerns about the voting process. Residents can call the free hotline at 1-877-850-4959, or visit www.GoVoteTN.com. There is also a free cell phone app named GoVoteTN that provides information.

The following are some highlights of what on today's ballot in West Tennessee:

State Senate

State Senate District 27 will have a new representative following today's vote after Lowe Finney announced he was not going to run for another term.

Ed Jackson, Republican candidate; Randy Lamb, Democratic candidate; and Tim York, Constitution Party candidate, are competing for the seat. James Baxter, independent, has withdrawn from the race and given his support to Lamb, but Baxter's name is still on the ballot.

State House

There are four contested races for seats in the state House of Representatives that will be on ballots in West Tennessee.

In District 73 incumbent Jimmy Eldridge, Republican, is facing Shelia Godwin, Democrat.

In District 75, incumbent Tim Wirgau, Republican, is facing Randy Patton, Democrat, and James Hart, independent.

In District 76, incumbent Andy Holt, Republican, is facing Joyce Washington, Democrat.

In District 79, incumbent Curtis Halford, Republican, is facing Bobby Barnett, Democrat.

Johnny Shaw, the Democratic incumbent for District 80, does not have an opponent.

U.S. House

The region has two Republican incumbents running for the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 7th District, Marsha Blackburn is facing Daniel Cramer, Democrat; and Leonard Ladner, independent. In the 8th District, Stephen Fincher is facing Wes Bradley, Democrat; Mark Rawles, Constitution Party; and James Hart, independent.

Municipal elections

Residents within the city limits of Jackson, McKenzie, Martin and Savannah will be able to vote for or against the sale of wine at retail food stores.

Residents in Milan will vote for or against sale of liquor by the drink.

Several cities across the region also will have municipal elections for offices such as mayor and aldermen. In Madison County, residents within the city limits of Three Way will vote for mayor. James Hill is the incumbent and is facing George Baker and Larry Sanders. All three candidates are running as independents.

Amendments

There are four proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution on the ballot — concerning abortion regulation, judicial selection, banning a state income tax and allowing charitable gaming for veterans groups. To be approved, an amendment must receive a number of "yes" votes at least equal in number to the majority of votes cast in the governor's race.

Reach Tyler at (731) 425-9629. Follow him on Twitter @tyler_whetstone

Voting hours

To locate your polling place or to ask questions about the elections, call the state's toll free hotline at 1-877-850-4959, or visit www.GoVoteTN.com

Madison County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Benton County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Carroll County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Chester County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Crockett County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Decatur County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Gibson County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hardeman County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hardin County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Haywood County: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Henderson County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

McNairy County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Weakley County: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.