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This is your last chance to skip the line with early voting

By Judy Walton February 20, 2016 5 min read

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Vote now, avoid the lines

Fran Martini comments on the election after casting her early vote Friday at the Hamilton County Election Commission. Martini, who last lived in Philidelphia, said she moved here to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and that health care was big in the choices she made on her ballot.

Early voter Tiffany Rankins says she always comes out early to cast her vote at the Hamilton County Election Commission.

Kerry Steelman is administrator of Elections at the Hamilton County Election Commission offices near Amnicola Highway.

Early voter's Kendra Miller, left, and Kenisha Miller, center, receive help with their ballots from Volunteer Election Officer Linda Thompson, second from left, and Ballot Box Judge Byerly Morgan on Friday afternoon at the Hamilton County Election Commission offices near Amnicola Highway. As of 3:18 p.m., there were more than 320 ballots cast at the headquarters.

Early voting locations

› Brainerd Rec Center, 1010 N. Moore Road, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday› Eastwood Church, 4300 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday› Election Commission office, 700 River Terminal Road, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today, 8-a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday› North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr., Suite 102, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday

Dena Williams cast her ballot Thursday at the Northgate early voting site and said she’s passionate about the importance of the 2016 presidential race.

“I think this election is critical,” the 77-year-old retiree said. “Our country has been going down the tubes for the past eight years. If it’s not saved now, with this election, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

And Republican Donald Trump is the man for the job, she said. She likes that he’s paying his own way instead of owing allegiance to big-money interests.

“Donald Trump is not beholden to anyone,” Williams said.