By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — A Moore County judge has ordered that Sheriff Tyler Hatfield be placed on the 2026 election ballot following a legal dispute over certification deadlines tied to the state’s law enforcement standards process.
In an Agreed Order filed March 5 in Moore County Chancery Court, Chancellor J.B. Cox directed Moore County Election Commissioner Jim Sanders to place Hatfield’s name on the ballot for Moore County Sheriff
The order follows a lawsuit filed by Hatfield seeking a writ of mandamus after he was not certified by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission by the required deadline. Hatfield argued he missed the filing deadline after relying on incorrect election timeline information provided during the county’s transition to a new primary election system.
During court proceedings held March 4, attorneys for Hatfield and the county election commission presented arguments regarding the dispute and the applicable election laws. The court referenced prior Tennessee case law — Parker v. Bedford County Election Commission, Koella v. State ex. rel. Moffett, and Crowe v. Ferguson — addressing election qualification disputes before issuing its ruling
As part of the order, the court dismissed the Tennessee POST Commission from the case and determined that placement of Hatfield’s name on the ballot falls under the authority of the local election commission rather than the state agency.
“Respondent Sanders, and the respondent POST or the State of Tennessee does not have the ability to interfere with local elections,” the order states.
The order specifically directs Election Commissioner Jim Sanders to place Hatfield on the ballot for the 2026 Moore County sheriff’s election. Another candidate for sheriff, William Raline, named in the lawsuit was given until 4 p.m. on March 4 to file a response to the original petition.
Hatfield, the current Moore County sheriff, was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. The dispute arose during the county’s first election cycle using a primary system for county offices.
Local attorney Garth Segroves represented Hatfield in the matter. •
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