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A sign points to an early voting location in Nashville on July 12, 2024. (Credit: Erik Schelzig)
Key Points
- The races range from president down to a sprinkling of municipal contests
- In the presidential election Four years ago, 67% of ballots were cast early
- Suspicious GOP legislators opposed the introduction of early voting in 1994
Tennessee’s early voting period starts Wednesday for the Nov. 5 general election headlined by the battle for the presidency between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Also to be decided are races for the U.S. House and Senate and dozens of state legislative seats.
As many as two-thirds or more of Tennesseans could cast their votes from Wednesday through Oct. 31 early voting period. Figures compiled by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office show 67% of Tennessee voters did just that back in 2020.
Some counties have also have town and city elections on the ballot. Voters in traffic-choked Nashville will decide on a transit-improvement referendum. The proposal seeks to increase the sales tax by a half a percentage point. Money raised would go toward funding a proposed $3.1 billion plan to create rapid transit corridors, add 86 miles of new sidewalks, construct a dozen more transit centers and make traffic light improvements.
Besides the contest for president, state voters will decide the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood. Democratic challenger Gloria Johnson of Knoxville is considered the underdog in a state that last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1990.
Democrats and their allies are also hoping to chip away at state House GOP supermajorities in the state House and have targeted several Republicans. GOP representatives are taking aim at some Democratic incumbents.
The Democratic controlled General Assembly passed the early voting law in 1994 despite some Republicans’ opposition. These days, everyone appears to like the convenience.
Republican Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement that election officials anticipate a “robust turnout” across Tennessee.
“We encourage all registered voters to utilize the flexibility provided by the early voting period and make your voices heard,” he said.
Early voting runs through Oct. 31. Hargett said voters should remember to bring valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or photo ID issued by the state or federal governments — even if they are expired.
Students take note: College IDs are not an acceptable form of identification for voting.
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