The number of Nashvillians casting a ballot on the first day of early voting has risen nearly 1400% compared to the last midterm election in 2022.
However, the 2022 midterm didn’t have an open seat for governor on the ballot. With Gov. Bill Lee at the end of his term limit, the state’s highest office is open for the first time since 2018. Compared to that election, Nashville’s first-day voter turnout actually fell by 80%. Statewide numbers have not yet been released.
Still, the governor’s race has been a big driver of early voter turnout. WPLN News asked voters in Davidson and Cheatham County what candidate they were most excited about on the first day of early voting. The most common responses were Jerri Green, the Democratic candidate for governor, or that they had voted Republican down-ballot without much excitement for any one candidate.
Jack O’Brada of Cheatham County said he was most excited to oppose the Republican candidate for governor, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
“I hope she gets beat,” O’Brada said.
Independent voter Joey Allen, also of Cheatham, wasn’t excited about any of the candidates.
“But being a believer in Christ, I’m going to vote … for representatives that represent my beliefs,” Allen said. “I’ve got to vote for people that are going to uphold our security … We have an administration in D.C. right now that’s actually looking after those interests.”
Michelle Penucci of Nashville said that she was excited for Jerri Green and Mike Croley in the newly redrawn 6th Congressional District, which includes her neighborhood of Hillsboro Village. Croley faces state Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, for the open U.S. House seat.
Penucci said she disagrees with the statehouse’s move to redraw Tennessee’s congressional map.
“The way the gerrymandering has been done, it’s just — it’s outrageous,” Penucci said.
Early voting runs through Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3.
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