Farragut sees strong early voter turnout
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Farragut residents stand in line to early vote at Farragut Community Center on Monday, Oct. 19. - Tammy Cheek
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Larry Johnson, a Farragut resident since 1997, and Jane Terry take advantage of the early voting at Farragut Community Center to cast their votes on Monday, Oct. 19. - Tammy Cheek
Another election is here, as early voting began Wednesday, Oct. 14, and will continue through Thursday, Oct. 29, for state and federal offices.
“Through the first two days, it’s gone pretty well,” Knox County Election Commission administrator Chris Davis said. “The biggest thing we’re seeing is the lines are a little longer than expected because of all the questions on the ballot — the constitutional amendments.
“But it’s not really as high a turnout as it was eight years ago because we had the governor and the Senate and the House were all open seats [then], and now the governor is the only open seat because of no incumbent,” he said. “But it’s much higher than it was four years ago, so it’s halfway between four years ago and eight years ago with the turnout.
“I’m expecting 130,000, 140,000 [countywide] when it’s all said and done,” Davis predicted.
He urged voters to cast their ballots early, especially with the constitutional amendments on the ballot.
At Farragut, “some of these people were in line an hour, which is great, but I don’t want people standing in long lines on Election Day,” Davis said.
Voters may cast their ballots at any early voting location in Knox County, according to the Knox County Election Commission.
Residents can vote at Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
“They really need to early vote, and Farragut Community Center is a really great place to early vote,” Davis said. “I hope people will take advantage of it.
“And they have so far,” he said. “Farragut is one of the highest turnout places in the county.”
On the first day, Oct. 14, Davis said 5,633 people voted countywide, including 987 at the Farragut location.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, another 5,981 ballots were cast countywide, including 1,023 at Farragut.
“Farragut was the second-highest location” in terms of turnout, Davis said.
During the first two days, 11,614 ballots were cast countywide, including 2,010 at the Farragut Community Center.
“Lines are going to be long, but they’ll be longer on Election Day,” Davis warned.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Three polling locations in Farragut are Farragut Middle School, 200 West End Ave.; Farragut High School, 11237 Kingston Pike; and Korean Church of Knoxville, 108 Farlow Dr. Voters should check their voter registration information to confirm their assigned polling location.
Candidates on the ballot
In the U.S. Senate race, Bill Hagerty is the Republican nominee, Marquita Bradshaw is the Democratic nominee, and eight independent candidates are running.
In the U.S. House of Representatives race, Tim Burchett is the Republican nominee, Michaela Barnett is the Democratic nominee, and Bruce Fine and Adam Heimerman are independent candidates.
In the governor’s race, Marsha Blackburn is the Republican nominee, Jerri Green is the Democratic nominee, and 13 independent candidates are running.
In the state Senate District 7 race, Dr. Richard Briggs is the Republican nominee, and Bryan Langan is the Democratic nominee.
In the state House District 14 race, Jason Zachary is the Republican nominee, and Lindsay Young Honaker is the Democratic nominee.
In the state House District 15 race, Sam McKenzie is the Democratic nominee.
Constitutional amendments
Along with federal and state offices, voters will find three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot.
n Amendment 1 defines crimes for which defendants can be denied bail.
n Amendment 2 would add language prohibiting the state from levying a state property tax, which Tennessee currently does not have.
n Amendment 3 would replace Article I, Section 35, of the Tennessee Constitution, revising provisions regarding the rights of crime victims.
Voters must bring a Tennessee or federal government-issued photo ID.
Residents who are unsure of their voter registration status can check online at https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/.
