Early voting up over 10K
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
A total 163,303 people cast early votes during the two-week period that ended on Halloween, over 10,000 more votes than 2020’s early voting numbers. The record turnout went smoothly despite long lines at several polling places. There are 336,151 registered voters in Knox County.
Knox County Elections Administrator Chris Davis thanked the poll workers and the voters, noting the huge turnout. Voters cast votes for their choice of U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Tennessee Senate and House candidates. Knoxville City voters also answered “Yes or No” on two ballot issues about how future city elections will be held.
Davis said that 23,415 were first-time voters. There are over 25,000 more women than men who are registered to vote in Knox County and early voting saw 17,246 more women voting than men. Absentee ballots accounted for an additional 7,503 early votes.
Tuesday is Election Day and a heavy response is expected as people who haven’t voted yet will cast ballots in their local precincts.
