Forget New Hampshire, TN early voting for GOP, Democratic primaries start today

NASHVILLE - Tired of waiting on the sidelines as Iowa and now New Hampshire voters weighed in on their picks for Republican and Democratic presidential nominees?

Wait no more: Tennesseans can begin casting early votes today in the March 1 Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

"I'm trying to remember the last time we were seeing this much attention in a Republican primary, this many people paying attention to Tennessee and Southern states," Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement. "I can't think of a time."

Tennessee is one of six states participating in "SEC Primary," so named because they all have college teams in the Southeastern Conference.

Republicans in southern states in particular are hoping to shape the contest. Democrats will have their chance too. And with both Democratic and Republican nominations still up in the air, Hargett thinks there could be more interest in the primaries this year as a result.

Hargett says the two-week early voting window could be more of an option this year given the eratic winter weather so far. Moreover, his office says the number of presidential candidates and delegates are pretty long.


Early voting runs Mondays through Saturdays and ends Tuesday, Feb. 23. Some counties will be closed onMonday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.

Election Day is Tuesday, March 1. And if you forgot to register to vote, forget about for this primary: The egistration deadline was Feb. 1.

The Secretary of State's office says voters can go online and visit GoVoteTN to find early voting and Election Day polling locations as well as view and mark sample ballots and locate other information.

And they can contact their county election commission.

Tennessee's 95 counties conduct early voting at their local election commission offices or at another location designated by the election commission. Some counties also offer early voting at satellite locations.

If you plan on voting early or on Election Day, officials say you'd better bring your driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government and the federal government. College student IDs are not acceptable.

More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found here: What ID is required when voting? or by calling the Division of Elections toll free at 1-877-850-4959.

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