MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As early voting enters its final days, parking lots like the one at Briarwood Community Church are filling up with eager Memphians ready to take advantage of a break in their daily like to cast their ballot.
“My schedule is ridiculous. I’m around the corner, it's my off day,” said Charlette Donnerson after she cast her vote early.
Donnerson now joins the 194,598 people to have cast their ballots across the area as of Monday, Oct. 28, according to The Shelby County Election Commission.
In 2024, voter turnout has been lower than the last general election in 2020, dropping 32%, the most in all of Tennessee. While no reason has been officially given, a report from ABC sheds some light.
More Republicans have taken advantage of early voting in 2024 than in the past. Meanwhile in 2020, a surge in Democrats voting early seemed to stem from reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the threat seems to have passed, comparing both elections may not be as revealing as thought, since early voting has increased in Tennessee 31% compared to 2016.
“It was a little longer than I thought, but once I got in it was pretty smooth. I only voted four years ago. I didn’t have to ask questions, everyone was helpful and let me know what to do," said Travis Butler, who cast his vote early.
Lines at Briarwood still appeared to move quickly Oct. 29th. Butler told ABC24 it took him around 15 minutes to wait in line and cast his vote.
This seeming success comes after concerns came from elected leaders, who worried votes were being swapped from Democrats to Republican candidates.
"I'd say in about 10 to 12 precincts I've received reports of some irregularities with the voting machines," said Shelby County Election Commissioner Vanecia Kimbrow on Oct. 17th.
This concern was quickly tackled by the Shelby County Election Commission. The problem facing voters is where they place their fingers to vote. If someone clicks the top left corner instead of the name of the candidate they want to vote for, the machine may register the vote incorrectly.
Linda Phillips with the Shelby County Election Commission said while voters may want to press the small box in the top left corner of the candidate's box that they are voting for, they will want to press the candidate's name instead to avoid a error that has been brought to the public's attention.
“Whichever pressure is heavier, it will pick that one, and that may be the one above it. So the real simple fix to that is use a stylus, but the easiest way is to click the candidate's name,” said Phillips.
When asked, voters like Gale Harwell said they did not run into an issue Oct. 29th. With a lot on the line, Harwell said she came to the polls prepared, and even reviewed the City of Memphis referendums so she would not contribute to the long lines that appeared during the first days of voting.
“It’s the most important thing that we could ever do," said Harwell, "... and this is one of the most important elections ever.”
For a quick explanation of each of the six referendums, an explainer CAN BE FOUND HERE, along with what your vote means if you vote 'Yes" or 'No'.
Oct. 29th was the last day for people to request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots will be accepted until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Any ballot received after the deadline will be rejected, and must be delivered by the USPS, FEDEX, UPS, or a courier service.
Before you head to the polls make sure you have everything you need, including a Photo ID like a Tennessee driver's license or passport, and avoid wearing anything with a candidate's name on it.