KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — If history is any indication, some 40,000 Knox Countians probably will turn out Tuesday to vote in the primary for county races and the presidential primary.
That adds up to total likely turnout -- including early voting -- of about 65,000 voters for what's usually considered a big day at the polls.
About 25,300 people voted early in February in Knox County, statistics show. About 80 percent voted in the Republican primary and the balance voted as Democrats.
There's no doubt many who consider themselves traditional Democrats crossed over to vote in the Republican primary.
Chris Davis, the county's elections administrator, said early turnout was "lackluster" and absentee ballots also appeared lighter than expected.
Davis said he can't explain why early turnout was relatively low. Typically, he said, early voting represents about 35-40 percent of total turnout. More people locally prefer to turn out in person on Super Tuesday, he said.
Across the country, lack of enthusiasm for main presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump has been cited as one reason for lower turnout.
Knox County, however, does have significant school board and Knox County Commission races that were expected to attract more voters. There are 10 contested local races in the county's primary.
Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Knox County. If you're voting Tuesday, remember you need to go to your designated neighborhood precinct.
Past voting numbers have been trending down, figures show.
For example, about 83,000 Knox Countians voted in the March 2020 primary. And about 92,000 people voted in the March 2016 primary in Knox County.
This year there are about 300,000 registered voters in the county.
Tennessee voters face three big election days in 2024: Tuesday; the county general and state and congressional primary Aug. 1; and the state, congressional and presidential general election Nov. 5.
Davis warned that anyone voting Tuesday in the Republican primary should be prepared to go through a long ballot because of the many people running as delegates for presidential candidates.
He said he's also seen "spoiled" GOP ballots -- about 7 to 8 percent -- because voters checked off too many delegates. You're limited to picking 14 delegates who represent that Trump, DeSantis and Haley camps.
"Do your homework," Davis said.
