People vote at Burk’s United Methodist Church in Hixson.WHAT TO BRING• Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both Tennessee time zones.• All voters must present a federal- or state-issued ID containing the voter’s name and photograph at their polling place.Source: Tennessee Secretary of State
NASHVILLE – After a record turnout for early voting and millions of dollars shelled out for often-negative ads, Tennessee voters get their say today on which Democratic and Republican nominees will be in races this fall for seats in the state Legislature, U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Also on the ballot are general election contests for school boards and property assessors in all 95 counties. In some, including Hamilton County, voters have special elections for county mayor, judge slots or other local posts.
“Obviously, we are hoping for a good turnout,” said Blake Fontenay, spokesman for State Election Coordinator Mark Goins.
For months, Southeast Tennessee voters have watched a hotly contested 3rd Congressional District Republican primary. First-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann is battling GOP primary challenges from dairy executive Scottie Mayfield and Weston Wamp, son of former 3rd District Rep. Zach Wamp, and businessman Ron Bhalla and the contest is helping amp up voter interest, election officials say.