NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee election officials report that nearly 605,000 people have cast ballots as the state's early voting period hits its halfway mark.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett says the early voting turnout so far as high.
In Rutherford County, Elections Coordinator Nicole Lester reports a heavy turnout as well. As of Thursday morning, right at 30,000 voters have already cast ballots.
Lester says that pace easily matches the large turnouts seen in 2008. She says that while a lot of people are voting early, no one is having to wait in line for long.
“It is a short ballot. There’s not any additional questions on the ballot. It’s a very short, simple ballot and it’s not taking the voters very long in the booth to get in and get out.”
Lester says Rutherford County has mailed out about 2000 absentee ballots at this point..
The early voting period began on Oct. 17 and will continue through Nov. 1.