Early voting picked up in final days
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
“Given the good weather we experienced during the last two weeks and the opening of a sixth early voting spot —- at many people’s insistence — I am disappointed in the turnout. The bright spot is there are still a lot of voters that have an opportunity to cast a ballot Tuesday!” said Chris Davis, Knox County Election Coordinator.
Four years ago, 9,329 people early voted in the primary for Knoxville mayor. This year so far 8,808 have early voted or sent an absentee ballot. 64,585 registered voters in the City of Knoxville voted in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Figures released by the election commission show the overwhelming majority of voters are 55 years old or older, some 6,372 so far. People 35 to 54 cast 1,703 votes and younger voters, 18 to 34, cast only 733 early votes.
Turnout increased during the last four days of early voting with Thursday being the highest day when 1,386 ballots were filed.
As usual the Downtown West early voting location saw the highest number of voters, followed by New Harvest and the Expo Center. Bringing up the other early voting places were the City-County Building, the Eternal Life Church and the South Precinct.
Primary voters will choose candidates for four city council seats, the city mayor and the municipal judge.
