Looks like someone's interested in this presidential election.
Tennessee early voting and absentee voting in the Nov. 8 election was up 18.36 percent during its first 10 days compared to 2012, according to figures on the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
Figures were up in Hamilton and Bradley counties as well.
Early voting picks up again today in Tennessee's 95 counties and goes through Thursday. The election is Nov. 8.
The state Election Coordinator's website says 1.18 million early ballots were cast through Saturday. Voters not only are choosing between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential race but on down-ticket contests. Other contests in Tennessee include state legislative races, some municipal elections and several ballot referendums.
Unlike 2012, where Democratic President Barack Obama faced Republican Mitt Romney, the 2016 contest is for an open seat, which sparks more interest.
Tennessee's total is up by 183,447 voters, or 18.36 percent over the 998,969 people who voted during the same time frame in 2012.
Last week, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said the early voting may amount to more than half of the votes cast in the election.
The 7.4 percent early voting increase in Hamilton County was lower than the statewide figure.
The Hamilton County Election Administrator reported 50,767 residents voted during the first 10 days compared to 47,270 in 2012, a 3,497 increase in the number of voters.
But in Bradley County, the percentage of early voters soared by 16.66 percent. During the first 10 days, 20,162 voters cast ballots. That's 2,879 more than the 17,283 people who voted early in 2012.
Both counties, as well as the state, have gained population since 2012, but Hargett also noted there's intense interest in the Clinton/Trump race.
Unlike some states, Tennesseans do not register by political party, so it's not readily apparent who is turning out. But if heavily Republican Bradley is any indication, the GOP is doing well despite friction between Trump and some Republicans here, including Gov. Bill Haslam.
Meanwhile in Georgia, seen by some as a potential swing state before FBI Director James Comey announced Friday he is reopening the investigation into Clinton's emails, CNN said an estimated 1,061,000 voters had cast early ballots. That's a 37 percent increase over 2012. Georgia statistics were not readily available on Secretary of State Brian Kemp's website.
Georgia also has a contest between incumbent U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican, and Democrat Jim Barksdale. Tennessee has no statewide contest and the state's nine congressional incumbents face little-known challengers with few resources.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on twitter at AndySher1.