Madison County election officials talk voter turnout for Aug. 1 election
SEE AUGUST 1 ELECTION RESULTS HERE
JACKSON, Tenn. — We visited two voting precincts in Madison County to hear opinions on voter turnout and more.
Thursday was the State and Federal Republican and Democratic Primaries, and the General Election, for the various counties across the Tri-Star state. We spoke to two different election officials at separate precincts to hear how many voters showed up to the polls.
“Voter turnout–it’s just been steady. It’s not big, not a big turnout, just a steady flow of people,” said Monika Thomas Steele, election staff.
“Voter turnout has been lower than expected. It’s been lower than in previous elections,” said Walter Duffey, election staff.
One of the main issues poll workers told us about was the amount of voters misinformed about the election. At both voting locations they reported voters coming to the wrong precinct, being misinformed about how the primary ballots worked, and some even were confused about the entire election, saying they thought they were voting for the president.
“Not only this election but all elections I have been working at, there’s always someone coming to the wrong precinct, or thinking it’s a different election than it is, or looking for someone that’s not on the ballot,” said Steele.
“They don’t look at their cards. And some of them, they don’t go to the office–the election office, and get them changed, and all of that will kick them out,” said Duffey.
At exactly 7 p.m., it was time to pack up the ballot machines and send them back to the main election office for the votes to be counted. Overall, both precinct staff reported an easy-going election day.
The winners of the State and Federal Primaries will advance to the November election.
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