KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Early voting season is wrapping up in East Tennessee, with only two days left to cast a vote. Despite brutal weather across the region, more East Tennesseans have made their way to the polls than in 2016.
The Knox County Election Commission posted statistics on their Twitter account that shows it. Eight days into the 2016 early voting period, 11,850 votes were cast and eight days into the 2020 early voting period, there were 15,243 votes cast.
More votes are expected as the early voting period continues.
"The days that are the hardest are the last two or three," Chris Davis said, assistant administrator in the Knox County Election Commission. "I won't be surprised to see 2,000 or 3,000 ballot days."
Polls will be open until 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, the last days of the early voting period for the primaries. The City-County Building polling location will also open early on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Even though most polling locations will be open as the early voting period winds down, the Clinton Expo Center polling location closed on Friday.
"If you know who you're going to vote for, get out and vote," Davis said. Early voting helps voters avoid lines on election day and gives them a chance to vote when it's convenient for them, Davis said.
Tuesday, March 3 is the election date for the presidential primary in Tennessee.