Elections - Historical Notes

The following is a listing of acts for Claiborne County which affected the elective process, but which have been superseded or repealed.  They are listed here for historical and reference purposes.  Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Acts of 1803, Chapter 24, prescribed the mode of choosing electors to vote for president and vice-president of the United States.  The counties of Hawkins, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson and Cocke composed the second electorial district and elected one elector.
2. Acts of 1803, Chapter 51, recited that, because of the mountainous terrain and large boundaries of the counties of Claiborne and Anderson, it was a great inconvenience for residents living north of the Clinch River to attend at the courthouse in Claiborne County.  Therefore, it would hereafter be lawful for that portion of Claiborne County and all that part of Anderson County which formerly belonged to Grainger County to hold an election in the house where Charles Dever now lived in Powell’s Valley for all national, state and county elections.
3. Acts of 1809, Chapter 16, Section 2, stated that the citizens of Claiborne County residing south of Powell’s River and west of the town of Tazewell where to vote at the courthouse for the election of governor, members of the general assembly, members to congress and electors of president and vice-president of the United States.
4. Acts of 1812, Chapter 5, established eight electoral districts for the purpose of electing electors to vote for the president and vice-president of the United States.  The second electoral district was composed of the counties of Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier, Grainger and Claiborne.
5. Acts of 1812, Chapter 57, apportioned the representation of the general assembly into 20 senators and 40 representatives.  The counties of Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell composed one election district and jointly elected one senator.  The polls were counted at Rutledge and Tazewell alternately beginning with Rutledge.
6. Acts of 1815, Chapter 18, authorized the people of Claiborne County to vote at any election place that suited their convenience.
7. Public Acts of 1819, Chapter 69, provided for the representation in the general assembly to compose of 20 senators and 40 representatives.  The counties of Claiborne, Grainger and Campbell composed one election district and elected one senator.  Furthermore, Claiborne and Campbell counties jointly elected one representative.
8. Public Acts of 1822, Chapter 1, divided the state into congressional districts for the election of representatives to the United States Congress.  The Second Congressional District was composed of the counties of Grainger, Claiborne, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier and Blount.
9. Public Acts of 1823, Chapter 47, provided for the election of electors of president and vice-president of the United States and to divide the state into 11 electoral districts.  The second electoral district was composed of the counties of Cocke, Sevier, Jefferson, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell and would elect one elector.
10. Public Acts of 1824, Chapter 1, provided for the election of electors of a president and vice-president of the United States.  The state was divided into eleven electoral districts.  The second electoral district was composed of Cocke, Sevier, Jefferson, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell counties which elected one elector.
11. Public Acts of 1826, Chapter 3, divided the state into election districts for the election of state senators and representatives.  The  counties of Jefferson, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell composed one election district and elected one senator.  Claiborne and Campbell counties would jointly elect one representative.
12. Public Acts of 1827, Chapter 17, provided the election of electors of president and vice president of the United States.  The state was divided into eleven electorial districts.  The counties of Cocke, Sevier, Jefferson, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell composed the second electorial district.
13. Public Acts of 1833, Chapter 71, divided the state into representatives and senatorial districts.  The counties of Cocke, Jefferson, Grainger and Claiborne composed one election district and elected one senator.  Furthermore, Claiborne and Grainger counties composed one election district and elected one representative.
14. Public Acts of 1833, Chapter 76, provided for the calling of a state convention for the purpose of revising the state constitution.  The counties of Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Jefferson composed one district and elected three delegates.
15. Public Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 39, prescribed the mode of choosing electors to vote for president and vice-president of the United States.  The counties of Sullivan, Hawkins, Grainger and Claiborne composed the second electorial district.  One elector resided in this district.
16. Acts of 1842, Chapter 1, apportioned the representation in the general assembly of the state.  The counties of Grainger, Jefferson and Claiborne composed the fourth senatorial district and elect one senator.  Furthermore, Claiborne County was authorized to elect one representative, the polls were compared at the courthouse in Tazewell.
17. Acts of 1842, Chapter 7, divided the State into districts for the election of representatives to the Congress of the United States.  The second congressional district was composed of the counties of Claiborne, Jefferson, Grainger, Campbell, Anderson, Morgan, Sevier, Blount and Monroe.
18. Public Acts of 1881 (Ex. Sess.), Chapter 6, apportioned the several counties of the state into senatorial and representative districts.  Claiborne County was to elect one representative and was also placed in the fourth senatorial district along with Grainger, Union, Campbell and Scott counties.
19. Private Acts of 1923, Chapter 496, dispensed with the requirement of having to re-register before each election.