Tens of thousands of Tennesseans turned out for the state’s first day of early voting, even though Barack Obama and Mitt Romney barely campaigned in the largely red state.
Hair-stylist Regina Rhodes came out for President Obama, though she conceded in statewide races Democrats don’t have good odds.
“It seems like they never win, but it didn’t stop my vote, so I don’t care whether he wins in Tennessee or not; I just care that my vote counted and that he wins the presidential election.”
Rhodes notes some black preachers have taken issue with Obama’s support for gay marriage. A few have reportedly encouraged parishioners to not vote at all – something Rhodes called “ridiculous.”
Four years ago Obama also got a vote from Pam Phillips, but not this time. Phillips thinks the sour economy has pulled the country in the wrong direction.
“Don’t want Obama back in. Not overly thrilled with Romney, but I think you need to give Romney a chance. There might be better people out there, but that’s your alternative: Obama or Romney.”
Early voting continues through November 1.
LINK: Tennessee Early Voter Turnout Totals
Republicans have dominated recent elections in Tennessee, and the state’s 11 electoral votes aren’t seen as pivotal for the next president. But the contest could have big reverberations down-ballot in local races, says Patrick Clemens. Besides backing Romney, Clemens voted to flip his state House district from Democratic to Republican control.
“Local people have more impact on our property taxes, on our sales taxes, our schools. So those are important races to me.”
It’s also the state’s first presidential election since passing a photo-ID requirement to vote. The law has drawn fire from Democrats worried it could turn rightful voters away. Larry Dunlap-Berg came out early, to make sure his vote for Obama gets counted.
“The other thing is, that then allows me to hopefully be freed up so if somebody else I know is challenged, I can maybe support them.”
An appeal challenging the voter ID requirement will be in state court later Thursday.
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