Election admin: Vote early, avoid Nov. 5 crowds

By Mike Steely

Senior Writer

steelym@knoxfocus.com

While other places may expect some Election Day disruptions, the Knox County Election Commission doesn’t foresee any problems except for a very large turnout. For that reason, Election Administrator Chris Davis is urging voters to take advantage of additional early voting places during fourteen days from October 16 until October 31, excluding Sundays.

Two voting places have been added: the Gibbs Ruritan Club at 7827 Tazewell Pike in Corryton and the Baker Center on the UT Campus at 1640 Cumberland Avenue. The Baker Center will only be open the last week of early voting, October 28-31.Davis said Wednesday that the Farragut location has changed to the Village Green Shopping Center in the former Stein Mart at 11437 Kingston Pike. The additions bring the number of Knox County early voting locations to twelve.

The ballot, according to Davis, will be one sheet with two sides. Voters will have either four or five local races in their area, plus state and federal races. City voters will also have two referendum items dealing with how city elections are held.

He said that between 310,000 and 350,000 voters are expected and noted that absentee ballots may be requested but must be returned by mail to the election office. He noted that out-of-state licenses will not be accepted at the polling places, a problem some newcomers have seen, but that a photo ID issued by the State of Tennessee (such as a driver’s license) or by the Federal Government (such as a passport) will be honored.

Davis said the commission is looking for additional Election Day poll workers and urges voters to check with his office to know where to vote. Any early voting location can be chosen but on Election Day, each voter must go to their assigned precinct.

Anyone wanting to do a voter registration drive is urged to contact the election commission soon.

“There are going to be long lines,” he said referring to the general state and federal election on November 5. More information is available by visiting www.knoxvotes.org or contacting the election commission at (865)215-2480.

Information released Wednesday by the election commission indicates that Knox County voters 55 years old or older comprise 65.22% of the voting public. Republicans make up 56.23% and Democrats are 43.77% of Knox County voters.