CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Bradley County voters broke the 10,000 mark in early and absentee voting for Thursday’s election, records show.
That’s likely a sign of things to come, Elections Administrator Fran Green said.
“Early voting has become an indicator of turnout on Election Day,” Green said.
Early voting has equaled about half the Bradley County total vote for several years now, she said.
Voters were already waiting Saturday morning when the Election Commission office opened in the courthouse annex.
Out on the streets of Cleveland, Zach Bell, son of state Senate candidate Mike Bell, was standing at a busy intersection with his friend Judah Ward, reminding voters that early voting was still going on. Bell is running against Lou Patten for the 9th District seat.
“We get some honks, some thumbs up,” the younger Bell said.
Along with the county general election for offices such as sheriff, county commission and school board, the ballot includes Republican and Democratic primaries for governor and state House and Senate seats.
The election commission reported that during the two weeks of early voting, Bradley County cast 10,775 votes, including 9,549 for Republicans and 983 for Democrats. Figures are unofficial until certified.
Election day is Thursday.
The hottest race on the Bradley ballot is the sheriff’s race. Republican Jim Ruth and Democrat Steve Lawson are seeking to replace Tim Gobble, who is a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District. Both are captains at the sheriff’s office and head a major division.
County Mayor D. Gary Davis, a Republican, is on the ballot with opposition from Democrat Paul Krisle and independent Erin Fuller.
Sheriff’s races are drawing interest elsewhere in the region, as well. In Rhea County, Republican Mike Sneed is seeking to unseat Democrat Mike Neal. In McMinn County, Republican Joe Guy and Democrat David Guy, who are nephew and uncle, respectively, are battling.
In other regional races, Republican Russ Hood and Democrat David A. Kirk are competing to replace longtime Mayor Howell Moss, who is not seeking re-election.
And in Polk County, former County Executive Hoyt Firestone, a Democrat, is seeking a comeback. He faces Republican David Dishman. The District 3 commission race, with three Democrats and three Republicans, also is drawing interest.
Polk election officials said early voting last month fell short of results in the May primaries.
Final figures weren’t available at presstime Saturday. As of Friday night, the Polk County Election Commission reported 1,614 early voters, with 760 Democratic, 698 Republican and 156 other ballots cast.
That compares with 2,535 ballots, most of them Democratic, in the May primary.
Correspondent Paul Leach contributed to this report.