High turnout being reported in Putnam and Cumberland counties Thursday as the Upper Cumberland votes in numerous local races.
Cumberland County Election Administrator Jill Davis said the county recorded approximately 6,500 early votes this year compared to 4,773 during the August 2022 election. Davis said the county is on pace to surpass its total turnout of about 9,000 voters from four years ago.
“It’s been busy in here with people coming in and figuring out where they go vote, so I know it’s gonna be a pretty good turnout for this election,” Davis said.
White County officials said polling places experienced lines shortly after opening Thursday morning. Fentress County officials said turnout remained steady but is expected to finish below the level seen four years ago.
Putnam Election Administrator Jennifer Murphy said early voting in the county nearly doubled compared to four years ago with 9,183 ballots cast.
“I’m hoping all the precincts are super busy today,” Murphy said, “But I do think our early voting numbers will be the majority of our votes for this time.”
Murphy said this figure is already just shy of the total turnout of 9,355 votes recorded during the August 2022 election.
Davis said election day traffic remained steady despite turnout varying by precinct across the county. Davis said one precinct in Fairfield Glade became busy enough to require an additional voting machine.
Overton County officials said turnout was steady but not heavy with no reported precinct issues.
Warren County officials said the flow of voters remained steady even though early voting was approximately seven percent lower than 2022.
