Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy is urging Memphis-area voters to take a hard look at any “sample ballot” that ends up in their hands, warning that some endorsement sheets are mimicking official party materials just as early voting gets underway ahead of the Aug. 6 primary. Early voting runs through Aug. 1.
Mulroy’s office says it has sent letters to groups that hand out voter guides and paid endorsement sheets, reminding them that Tennessee law makes it a crime to intentionally mislead voters about who actually produced a sample ballot. Those letters also ask organizations to add clear disclaimers and to avoid using party names or logos in ways that could trick voters, according to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office.
“Voters: Don’t be fooled,” Mulroy said, stressing that party imagery or the word “official” on a handout does not necessarily mean the county party is behind it. His office has warned that names such as “Memphis Democratic Club” may not be tied to the county’s actual party organizations, per the district attorney's office. Mulroy also told FOX13 Memphis he would “build a case and act against distributors if he can.”
Official ballots and early voting
The Shelby County Election Commission posts official sample ballots for every election so voters can line up any endorsement sheet against the county’s version. The commission’s sample for the Aug. 6 primary is available on its website, and early voting runs through Aug. 1, according to the Shelby County Election Commission.
How to spot a misleading sheet
Mulroy and election officials say small design choices can make unofficial guides look like the real thing. Voters are urged to check for a clear producer name and an unmistakable “Not affiliated” disclaimer, then compare any endorsement list to the party’s own sample ballot or the county’s posted version. If someone hands you a printout and calls it “the official Democratic ballot” or “the official Republican ballot,” they suggest you ask questions and double-check it against the county’s sample before you vote.
Where to report confusing materials
If you think you have received misleading election materials, officials say you should report them to the Shelby County Election Commission or the District Attorney’s office. The DA has said his team will consider enforcement when it appears that deception is intentional. For official ballots, polling locations and contact information, visit the Shelby County Election Commission or read coverage from FOX13 Memphis.
