Early voters are rushing to the polls! Make your vote count while avoiding the Primary crowds.
Early Voting is from April 9 to May 6 at Eagle Park (1749 State Road 46 E).
Early voting opened on April 9 at Eagle Park in Nashville.
County Clerk Pearletta Banks told the Democrat that the first few days had a slow turnout.
“We had four voters on the first day (April 9), 17 on Wednesday (April 10) and 23 (April 11),” Banks said. “There’s been an uptick everyday. I think the weather and it being the first week is why it has been so slow. In our tiny community we don’t really see big crowds during early voting.”
Banks said that this is her first election as clerk so she cannot compare it to previous years, but said seasoned poll workers told her this turnout is typical during the first week.
“My hope is that every registered voter in our county gets out and exercises their constitutional right, whether that be during early voting or coming out on the day of the primary,” Banks said.
Ballots are available by paper and electronically through Freedom Voting Machines. Banks said that everything is running as it should and they are not having any issues with either type of ballot.
Voters can choose between Democratic, Republican or Non-Partisan ballots. Banks said that public questions, such as the referendum will be on every ballot. Voters can pick up a Non-Partisan ballot if they only want to vote for the public questions (like the school referendum) and not for individual candidates.
Banks said voting precincts will still be used during the Primary elections and that voters who visit the wrong precinct can use a provisional ballot to still make their vote count. Provisional ballots are typically used when there are issues with precinct poll lists, people visiting the wrong precinct or voters lacking the required photo identification.
While there is only one early voting location, but there will be 11 voting precincts for the primary, three in Hamblen, four in Jackson, one in Van Buren and three in Washington townships.
Early voting is available until May 6 at Eagle Park (1749 State Road 46 E).
Early voting hours are:
Monday- Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 and May 4: 9 a.m- 1 p.m.
Monday, May 26: 8 a.m.- noon.
