Early voting is underway: Here's where you can vote

Catoosa County residents leave after voting on the first day of early voting at the Ringgold Voting Precinct.
Catoosa County residents leave after voting on the first day of early voting at the Ringgold Voting Precinct.

Early voting for the midterm elections in Tennessee and some local municipal races begins Wednesday and continues through Nov. 1.

Along with elections for governor and for seats in the U.S. and Tennessee Senate and House, voters in Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Red Bank, Ridgeside, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy and Walden will cast ballots in municipal elections.

Chattanooga voters will see a proposed city charter change that better aligns the functions of Chattanooga City Court.

photo A voter enters the Hamilton County Election Commission to cast their ballot on April 11 in Chattanooga.

Meanwhile, Georgia residents also can vote early. The period began Monday and runs through Nov. 2. In addition, polling places will be on open in Georgia on Oct. 27, a Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Hamilton County, you can vote at several different places. The Brainerd Rec Center at 101 N. Moore Road is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Collegedale City Hall, at 4910 Swinyar Drive, is open at the same times. So is the Hixson Community Center, at 5401 School Drive.

The Hamilton County Election Commission office, at 700 River Terminal Road, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It's also open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Early voting continues through Nov. 1.

The League of Women Voters is urging University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students to "exercise your right to vote" by traveling to the election commission on the Tennessee Riverwalk. The push is coordinated with the UTC Campus Recreation Department, the campus group Mocs Go Vote 2018, and the Save the Children Action Network.

photo Catoosa County residents stand in line on the first day of early voting at the Ringgold Voting Precinct.

League members and UTC faculty will accompany students as they bike, walk, or run from McKenzie Arena to the election commission. The groups will meet at noon.

CARTA is offering rides to the polls between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday and on Oct. 24, 25 and 30, Nov. 1 and Nov. 6. Call 423-402-0077.

People with disabilities in Chattanooga and East Ridge can get free rides to the polls during early voting and on Election Day on the CARTA Care-A-Van. Users must schedule rides by Oct. 22. Call 423-698-9038, or 423-698-8418 for people with hearing problems.

On Election Day, Nov. 6, numerous groups and organizations including #GoVoteCHA, Lyft and Uber will offer some free rides to the polls.

Here are more details on where to vote early in Georgia:

Catoosa County

There are two open destinations here: The Freedom Center, 5238 Evitt St. in Ringgold, and Westside, 3319 Lakeview Drive in Rossville. Both sites are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the sites will be open until 7 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Walker County

Early voting takes place at the county courthouse, 103 S. Duke St. in LaFayette. The elections office is on the first floor. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Whitfield County

Early voting is also located inside the county courthouse, 205 N. Selvidge St. in Dalton. The elections office is on the first floor. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Murray County

You can vote early inside the courthouse annex, 121 N. Fourth Ave. in Chatsworth. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Gordon County

Early voting is located at the elections office at 215 N. Wall St. in Calhoun. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dade County

Early voting is located at the county administrative office, at 71 Case Ave. in Trenton. The office is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also open Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chattooga County

You can vote early here at the county's registrar's office, located at 10072 Commerce St. in Summerville. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staff writer Judy Walton contributed to this story.

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.

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