KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — More people have early voted in Knox County than ever before.
As of 3:40 P.M Thursday, the overall early voting total was 160,010. The previous record was 153,165.
Lines were up to an hour long at the Farrgut voting location and up to 45 minutes at the Downtown West voting location.
Chris Davis, the administrator of elections in Knox County, said the more people early vote, the better.
"One of the things we always want to do with the election commission is try and push as many voters through early voting as possible," Davis said. "Because on election day, quite often, what we see are voters who don't know if they're registered, and don't know where to go on election day."
Early voting ended Thursday evening in Knox County, which means people waiting until election day will need to plan ahead if they want to cast a ballot.
"It's going to be a lot longer lines and a lot longer time on election day," Davis said.
Davis said lines look much different this presidential election compared to 2020, however, things were much different during the pandemic.
"This time it's just, it's easier with no masks, no social distancing," Davis said.
The last chance to vote is on election day. If you can't find the time to vote, Davis reminded people Tennessee law says your employer must give you three hours to vote on election day.
Thursday is the last day to early vote in Tennessee. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5 and polls will be open in Knox County from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.