Where and when to hold early voting has been such a low-grade political tug of war in the scheme of low-turnout Memphis elections that it hasn’t caused much of a ripple in the city’s deep political waters.

2. Early Voting Becomes Issue, Cause in Run-Up To Aug. 2 Election Day - Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Since early voting began in Tennessee in July 1994, it hasn’t increased voter turnout in Shelby County – at least not on its own in a sustained way. That still depends on what and who is on the ballot.

3. Election Commission Compromise on Early Voting Pleases Few Critics - Saturday, June 30, 2018

Shelby County election commissioners voted Friday, June 29, to rearrange the early voting schedule in advance of the Aug. 2 election day – keeping 25 of the 26 sites, substituting an East Memphis church for another church in the area that is having HVAC problems and adding a 27th early voting site at the election commission offices in Shelby Farms Park.

4. Shelby County Election Commission Weighs New Voting Machines for 2022 - Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Shelby County Election Commission certified the Nov. 8 election results Monday, Nov. 28, at a session that included a call by local Elections Administrator Linda Phillips to seek $12 million in funding to buy a new voting system for the 2022 elections.

5. Last Word: Big 12 Meets, Calling an Ambulance and Home Sales in Central Gardens - Monday, October 17, 2016

In Texas Monday, 10 university presidents whose institutions make up the Big 12 athletic conference will meet and most likely put an end to any thought that the University of Memphis will join their group. And there is a lot of speculation that Big 12 expansion is most likely not going to happen for anyone.

6. New Voting Machines on Shelby County's Political Horizon - Tuesday, August 23, 2016

The end is near for the touch-screen voting machines Shelby County voters have been using for 18 years.

This November could be the last presidential general election for the Diebold machines.

7. Last Word: Clawback, Coliseum Talks Begin and Galilee Cemetery Mess - Friday, August 19, 2016

The new plant manager at the Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt plant didn’t know the plant had a nine-year $1.5 million payment in lieu of taxes agreement much less that the company hasn’t spent any money with locally owned small or minority business firms in 2013, 2014 or 2015 – that according to EDGE officials.

8. Elections Chief Finalists Have Political Histories - Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The two finalists for the job of Shelby County Elections Administrator each told the Election Commission last week that if they get the job they will have some rebuilding work to do in how local elections are conducted.

9. Shelby County Election Commission Changes Preparations Following Tabulation Issues - Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The 2015 Memphis elections are in the books as the Shelby County Election Commission certified the results Friday, Oct. 28.

But the commission has resolved to test tabulation computer programming earlier, starting with the Nov. 19 city council runoff elections.

10. Memphis Election Results Certified After Complaints - Saturday, October 24, 2015

The Shelby County Election Commission has certified the results of the Oct. 8 Memphis elections with all five members of the body complaining about election night problems in posting vote totals.

“We cannot continue to operate like this,” election commissioner Norma Lester said, calling the problems “embarrassing.”

11. Strickland Names 26 to Eight Transition Committees - Thursday, October 22, 2015

Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he has named 26 people to eight committees that are the structure of his transition committee.

The transition committee members were chosen by Strickland along with the three co-chairs of the transition committee.

12. Memphis Council Takes Up Redistricting Furor - Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Memphis City Council chairman Myron Lowery says no candidate in the October city elections should be affected by the council’s second redrawing of its district lines in four years.

13. End in Sight - Friday, August 1, 2014

One more weekend of early voting and then it’s the four-day sprint to election day for candidates, their campaigns and the voters who didn’t vote during the early voting period.

Because of the length of the ballot – the longest of any election cycle in Shelby County political history – state election officials are encouraging voters who have made their decisions to vote early.

14. May County Primary Results Certified - Friday, May 23, 2014

The closest race in the May Shelby County primary elections turned into a tale of the tape Wednesday, May 21, as the Shelby County Election Commission certified the results of that and all of the other races on the ballot.

15. Obama Backs Cohen, Brooks Charges ‘Voter Suppression’ - Wednesday, April 23, 2014

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is touting the endorsement of President Barack Obama in his current re-election bid.

16. Election Commission May Move Initial Early Voting Site - Friday, April 18, 2014

Shelby County Election Commissioners certified the ballot Wednesday, April 16, for the Aug. 7 state and federal primary elections and the nonpartisan judicial and Shelby County Schools board elections on what politicos call the “big ballot.”

17. FBI Questions Surprise Local Politicos - Tuesday, December 24, 2013

As harsh as the criticism has been of the way the Shelby County Election Commission conducted elections in 2012, no one, including those who filed two Chancery Court lawsuits over the results, have said or presented proof it was intentional.

18. FBI Investigating Shelby County Election Commission - Saturday, December 21, 2013

FBI agents have interviewed a Shelby County Election Commission member in what appears to be a probe of the agency that conducts local elections.

Election Commissioner Norma Lester confirmed in a mass e-mail Friday, Dec. 20, that she has been contacted by the FBI “but advised not to disclose any information.”

19. Majority of Election Commission Reappointed - Saturday, April 13, 2013

The Shelby County Election Commission looks much the same with the recent appointment of local election commissioners by the Tennessee Election Commission.

Democratic legislators from Memphis recommended replacing local Democratic election commissioner George Monger with Anthony Tate and retaining fellow Democrat Norma Lester on the five-member body.

20. Majority of Election Commission Reappointed - Monday, April 8, 2013

The Shelby County Election Commission looks much the same with the recent appointment of local election commissioners by the Tennessee Election Commission.

Democratic legislators from Memphis recommended replacing local Democratic election commissioner George Monger with Anthony Tate and retaining fellow Democrat Norma Lester on the five-member body.

21. Election Commission Still at Odds Over Errors - Friday, February 22, 2013

At one point during the Wednesday, Feb. 20, meeting of the Shelby County Election Commission, chairman Robert Meyers interrupted a detailed and lengthy lecture by election commissioner George Monger by saying, “I object to the leading question.”

22. Election Certified Amid Continued Complaints - Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Shelby County Election Commissioners certified the results Monday, Nov. 26, of the Nov. 6 election.

But they offered different verdicts on how the election was conducted.

“Overall we had a good election,” said commissioner Dee Nollner.

23. Voter ID Law Controversy Could Continue - Monday, October 29, 2012

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. gave a lawyer’s answer when asked what would happen if the Tennessee Legislature might amend the state law requiring a photo voter ID in light of the Thursday, Oct. 25, Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling on the matter.

24. ‘Behind the Headlines’ Explores Fixes for County’s Election Woes - Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Some early voters in Shelby County are snapping pictures of their completed ballots with their phones to verify their votes. Other voters are delaying their trip to the polls because they anticipate problems in the opening days of the voting period that ends Nov. 1.

25. Election Reform Advisory Board Approved - Wednesday, September 26, 2012

A new Election Reform Advisory Board approved Monday, Sept. 24, by the Shelby County Commission is to report its recommendations by the end of March to the Shelby County Election Commission.

And the Election Commission is under no obligation to act or even accept the recommendations, although election commissioners Steve Stamson and Norma Lester are also on the committee of 12.

26. Commission Approves Pera Group on Forum Lease - Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners approved Monday, Sept. 24, a change in the lease for FedExForum to the new Grizzlies ownership group headed by Robert J. Pera.

But the 9-4 vote came after commissioners criticized Pera’s representatives for not providing basic financial statements about Pera or his ownership group.

27. Commission To Put Pera On FedExForum Lease, Appoint Election Reform Panel - Monday, September 24, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners take up a new name on the lease for FedExForum at their Monday, Sept. 24, meeting.

On the agenda is a resolution replacing Hoops LP, the Memphis Grizzlies ownership group headed by Michael Heisley, with RJP Group LLC, the ownership group headed by Robert Pera.

28. Aug. 2 Election Results Certified - Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The clock is running on any Chancery Court lawsuits now that the Shelby County Election Commission has certified the results of the Aug. 2 elections.

The audited results changed no outcomes in the county general elections and set of state and federal primary races.

29. Election Commission Certifies Vote - Votes Down Ouster of Holden - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Shelby County Election Commissioners certified the results Monday, Aug. 20, of the Aug. 2 elections in Shelby County.

But the unanimous voice vote hardly quelled the controversy over the conduct of the election being investigated by state officials.

30. Commission Creates Election Advisory Group - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Shelby County commissioners have approved an election reform group pushed by critics of the 2010 county general election results.

The commission approved the advisory board Monday, Sept. 26, on a 7-5 vote, but those pushing for the review complained it didn’t have the teeth they originally called for.

31. Picnic Kicks Off Political ‘Offseason’ - Tuesday, July 19, 2011

There is no campaign literature in Pleasantville. The family spread in Arlington of former state Rep. Bubba Pleasant drew several hundred people – most politicians or the politically minded – over the weekend for the annual “Pleasantville” picnic hosted by Pleasant and state Rep. Ron Lollar.

32. New Members Bring Change to Election Commission - Monday, May 23, 2011

When the Shelby County Election Commission met last week, it signaled a change, with three new members for the five-member body, as well as possibly a calm period for a group that has overseen a lot of elections in the last decade.

33. Election Commission to Change - Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The five-member Shelby County Election Commission will have three new faces by May or June as well as a new chairman.

The state election commission meets next week to vote on the two Democratic commissioners on the body that conducts and regulates elections in Shelby County. But the selection is governed by the choices of the state legislators from the county who caucus on the nominees.

34. Commission Races Hinge on Public Issues - Monday, April 19, 2010

Two issues figure in to the 11 competitive races for the Shelby County Commission – the future of the Regional Medical Center and local government consolidation.

Any push card for a credible candidate includes either something about how to save The MED or the candidate’s opposition to consolidation – or both.

35. Candidate Filing List -- The Final Version - Friday, February 19, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

36. UPDATE: Mayor's Race Grows At Filing Deadline - Thursday, February 18, 2010

Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell appeared on his way to the Republican nomination for Shelby County mayor at Thursday’s noon filing deadline for candidates on the May 4 primary ballot.

Luttrell faces only token opposition from perennial candidate Ernie Lunati.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for mayor grew to three contenders as General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson filed his qualifying petition just before the deadline. He joins interim County Mayor Joe Ford and Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone.

Luttrell ruled out a bid for Shelby County mayor last year (2009). But when Harold Byrd decided not to run in the Democratic primary, some local GOP leaders asked Luttrell to reconsider.

The result touched off a scramble of candidates from both parties for the open sheriff’s office. But before the noon deadline, the initial field of over a dozen possible contenders was narrowed to ten – six Democrats and four Republicans.

The other surprise at the filing deadline was the return of attorney Walter Bailey to the District 2 Position 1 seat he gave up in the 2006 elections. Bailey sought re-election then to another term despite a two term limit on commissioners. Bailey lost to J.W. Gibson who decided not to seek re-election. He also lost a court fight to overturn the term limits.

Bailey was the only candidate who had filed for the seat at the Thursday deadline.

Only one incumbent county commissioner – Republican Mike Ritz -- was effectively re-elected at the deadline because he had no opposition.

All but one of the eleven contested County Commission races will be decided with the May 4 primaries. The only general election battle for the August ballot is the district 5 contest between GOP challenger Dr. Rolando Toyos and whoever wins the May Democratic primary between incumbent Steve Mulroy and Jennings Bernard.

Former County Commissioner John Willingham also returned to the ballot among a field of Republican contenders in the primary for Shelby County Trustee.

And former Criminal Court Clerk Minerva Johnican joined the Democratic primary field for her old job. Incumbent Republican Bill Key pulled petition to seek re-election but did not file at the deadline.

Here is the list of races and contenders from The Shelby County Election Commission. All candidate have until noon Feb. 25 to withdraw from the ballot if they wish.

D-Democrat

R- Republican

I- Independent

Shelby County Mayor:

Deidre Malone (D)

Joe Ford (D)

Otis Jackson (D)

Mark Luttrell (R)

Ernest Lunati (R)

Leo Awgowhat (I)

Shelby County Sheriff:

James Coleman (R)

Bobby Simmons (R)

Bill Oldham (R)

Dale Lane (R)

Larry Hill (D)

Bennie Cobb (D)

Randy Wade (D)

James Bolden (D)

Elton Hymon (D)

Reginald French (D)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 1

Mike Ritz (R) (incumbent)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 2

Albert Maduska (R)

Heidi Shafer (R)

County Commission Dist 1 Pos 3

Mike Carpenter (R) (incumbent)

Joe Baire (R)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 1

Walter Bailey (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 2

Henri Brooks (D) (incumbent)

David Vinciarelli (D)

County Commission Dist 2 Pos 3

Eric Dunn (D)

Norma Lester (D)

Tina Dickerson (D)

Melvin Burgess (D)

Reginald Milton (D)

Freddie Thomas (D)

County Commission Dist 3 Pos 1

James Harvey (D) (incumbent)

James Catchings (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 2

Sidney Chism (D) (incumbent)

Andrew "Rome" Withers (D)

County Commission Dist. 3 Pos 3

Edith Moore  (D) (incumbent)

Justin Ford (D)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 1

Chris Thomas (R)

John Pellicciotti (R)

Jim Bomprezzi (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 2

Wyatt Bunker (R) (incumbent)

John Wilkerson (R)

Ron Fittes (R)

County Commission Dist 4 Pos 3

Terry Roland (R)

George Chism (R)

Edgar Babian (R)

County Commission Dist 5

Steve Mulroy (D) (incumbent)

Jennings Bernard (D)

Rolando Toyos (R)

Shelby County Clerk

Charlotte Draper (D)

Corey Maclin (D)

LaKeith Miller (D)

Wayne Mashburn (R)

Steve Moore (R)

Criminal Court Clerk

Vernon Johnson (D)

Minerva Johnican (D)

Ralph White (D)

Michael Porter (R)

Kevin Key (R)

Jerry Stamson (I)

Circuit Court Clerk

Jimmy Moore (R) (incumbent)

Steven Webster (D)

Carmichael Johnson (D)

Ricky W. Dixon (D)

Juvenile Court Clerk

Joy Touliatos (R)

Charles Marshall (D)

Sylvester Bradley (D)

Shep Wilbun (D)

Julia Roberson Wiseman (I)

Probate Court Clerk

Paul Boyd (R)

Sondra Becton (D)

Danny Kail (D)

Annita Sawyer Hamilton (D)

Peggy Dobbins (D)

Clay Perry (D)

Karen Tyler (D)

Shelby County Register

Tom Leatherwood (R) (incumbent)

Coleman Thompson (D)

Lady J. Swift (D)

Carlton Orange (D)

Shelby County Trustee

Regina Newman (D) (incumbent)

M. LaTroy Williams (D)

John Willingham (R)

Jeff Jacobs (R)

David Lenoir (R)

37. District 83 Early Voting Comes To Quiet End Today - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Early voter turnout in the special election for state House District 83 may not make it much higher than 1 percent if the bitterly cold weather becomes a political factor.

Today is the last day of the early voting period that began before Christmas, pausing for that holiday as well as the New Year’s holiday.

38. The Politics of Rape: What went wrong at MSARC - Monday, June 29, 2009

There’s no such thing as a textbook rape victim. There are, however, some very thick and detailed textbooks on how medical and legal authorities should come to a victim’s aid.

Those two realities collided violently in March inside an examination room at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center.

39. Local Political Candidates Popping Up Like Daisies - Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Candidates for the 2010 Shelby County elections continue to bloom in the political springtime of an off election year.

This weekend, County Trustee Paul Mattila opened his re-election bid with a large gathering at his home in Millington that dodged rain clouds.

40. Flood Zone? - Friday, July 28, 2006

When Willie and Rena Jeffries bought their home in 1995, the property directly behind theirs was being used as a horse pasture.

In the years since, a major developer has turned the pasture into a subdivision - and turned their 2,600-square-foot, two-story home into a major disaster area, they allege in a lawsuit filed last week in Shelby County Chancery Court.

41. Local Radiologist Named NMA President-Elect - Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Dr. Albert Morris Jr. was named president-elect of the National Medical Association during the group's annual convention. A private practice radiologist, Morris has served on the board of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society. He is a graduate of the Howard University College of Medicine and completed a residency and fellowship training at the University of Tennessee-Memphis.

42. Archived Article: Memos - Wednesday, July 30, 2003
<ephoto> Rear Adm

Rear Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler was named commander of Navy recruiting following the retirement of Rear Adm. George E. Voelker. Fowler completed a military fellowship in 2002-2003 and is a life member at the Council of Foreign...

43. Archived Article: Law Briefs - Thursday, June 27, 2002
The Memphis Bar Association securities section presents the Securities Section Spring Seminar from 1 p

The Memphis Bar Association securities section presents the Securities Section Spring Seminar from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Morgan Keegan &am...

44. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, June 24, 2002
Calendar of events Jan

Calendar of events June 24-June 30

June 24

Mississippi Museum of Art, 201 E. Pascagoula St. in Jackson, Miss., presents Passionate Observer: Eudora Welty among Artists of the Thirties, featuring photographs by Mississ...

45. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, June 17, 2002
Calendar of events Jan Calendar of events: June 17-June 23 June 17 Memphis Investors Group will hold its monthly meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, Adams Lecture Hall, 2490 Mount Moriah Road. MIG is a private, non-profit, educa...

46. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, June 10, 2002
Calendar of events Jan Calendar of events: June 10-June 16 June 10 The Memphis Bar Association presents "Designated Topics in Bankruptcy," from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 200 Jefferson Ave., sixth floor. Bankruptcy court Chief Judge David...

47. Archived Article: Law Briefs - Thursday, June 6, 2002
Estate Planning for Distributions from Qualified Plans and IRAs, presented by the American Law Institute-American Bar Associ "Estate Planning for Distributions from Qualified Plans and IRAs," presented by the American Law Institute-America...