Early voting now under way in Tenn. primary

JACKSON, Tenn. — Voters are already making their choices in Tennessee’s March 1 presidential primary as early voting kicked off Wednesday.

Administrator of Elections Kim Buckley is reporting 174 voters cast ballots Wednesday. Of those, 118 were cast in the Republican Primary and 56 in the Democratic Primary.

Adding these to votes previously cast at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and absentee by mail, there has been a total of 365 ballots cast, according to Buckley. Of this total, 190 votes were cast in the Republican Primary and 175 in the Democratic Primary.

Tennessee’s ballot was set in December, which means several candidates who have dropped out of the race will still remain on the ballot. Voters will be able to choose between 14 Republicans and three Democratic candidates for president, depending on which primary they are voting in.

Ballots also will have a long list of candidates in local races as well as those seeking to serve as delegates at party conventions.

Voters need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Student IDs are not accepted. Voters can cast early ballots through Feb. 23.