Local voters say presidential race big draw at polls

JACKSON, Tenn. — Voters packed precincts Tuesday across West Tennessee.

Voters waited in line in the rain to cast ballots at the Community Montessori School in Jackson.

Christina Marshall said she planned to vote no matter what. “Thankfully, my husband is able to stay at home this morning with the kids so that they didn’t have to come, because they were going to come if they had to,” she said.

Some came early to avoid the lines. Others hoped to cast a quick vote before work.

“I just think it’s our civic duty,” Paul Reilly, a voter, said. “I mean, these are a lot of important things affecting us.”

Most voters told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News the presidential race is the big draw.

“That’s the hot topic,” Steve Lax, a voter, said.

“Interestingly, this is the first time I’ve not really cared to vote, honestly, and yet I felt a responsibility to come out and do so,” voter Ronnie Smith said.

The Madison County Election Commission said more than 40 percent of Madison County voters cast ballots during early voting. “It appears that a lot of people are voting this year that haven’t voted in the past, and that’s exciting,” Lax said.

Marshall said she votes every election. “Many people fought and died so that I’d have this right, so I’m just excited to be here,” she said.

The polls close in West Tennessee at 7 p.m. You must have a state or federally issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot.