Tennessee Voters Cast Early Ballots Ahead of November 3 Election
Over 1.28 million Tennessee voters cast early ballots for a general election featuring a high-stakes gubernatorial race and new congressional districts.
More than 1.28 million registered voters in Tennessee cast early and absentee ballots for the November 3 general election, representing 26.66% of the state's electorate. According to the Secretary of State of Tennessee, this turnout is 45.15% higher than the 2022 midterms, though it remains 7.12% lower than the 2018 gubernatorial race. Williamson County saw the highest turnout in the state, while Davidson County recorded over 143,000 early votes.
Marsha Blackburn, the Republican U.S. Senator running for governor, spent the final campaign weekend focusing on conservative priorities and proposing a state-level Department of Government Efficiency to cut spending. She is challenged by Democratic nominee Jerri Green, who proposed using federal funds to eliminate medical debt, and independent candidate Dave Hatley, who called for a state spending audit and a pause on the gas tax. All major gubernatorial candidates expressed support for eliminating the state grocery tax.
Concurrent House races are being shaped by redistricting, particularly in the new 9th Congressional District. Democratic State Representative Justin J. Pearson and Republican State Senator Brent Taylor are competing in a district created under maps intended to secure an all-Republican delegation to Washington. Polls across the state's two time zones are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
