Tennessee early voting last week exceeded 2012 figures by nearly 100,000 people

NASHVILLE - During last week's first four days of early voting, the number of Tennesseans casting ballots in the Nov. 8 election exceeded 2012 totals by nearly 100,000 people, figures show.

According to Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett's figures, 478,324 Tennesseans voted early either at poll sites across the state's 95 counties or by absentee ballot.

That compares to 387,961 - or 90,363 less - in the last presidential contest.

Hargett said Monday he believes the pace was higher than the 2008 presidential election, as well.

That's good, Hargett said Monday, because "that's one way to make sure you don't wind up in a longer line that you expected to be in on Election Day."

It also helps put staffers at the state's 95 election commissions in a better position to process actual Nov. 8 votes.

Hargett attributed increased participation in early voting to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"I think you have two very interesting candidates who are stoking some pretty intense feelings with voters," Hargett said.

In Hamilton County, 20,676 residents voted early or had voted absentee last Wednesday through Saturday, according to the Hamilton County Election Commission's website.

According to the secretary of state's website, that placed Hamilton County at No. 6 in ranking of most votes cast among the state's 95 counties. The state's three largest counties, Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville) and Knox (Knoxville), respectively, ranked No. 1, 2 and 3, as might be expected.

But despite being Tennessee's fourth-largest county, Hamilton County didn't rank No. 4.

Instead, the county ranked only sixth, outdone by Williamson and Rutherford counties, both of which have fewer residents.

The 10-day voting period continues through Nov. 3.

Hamilton County has four early voting sites, with one at the county election commission headquarters on Amnicola Highway, another in Brainerd, a third on Collegedale and the fourth at Northgate.

Contact Andy Sher at asher@ timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.

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