Despite torrential rain, Hardin County turnout on 1st day of early voting up slightly from 2016

Early voting for Tennessee’s presidential primary has officially begun.
Voters can cast their ballots ahead of the March 3 presidential primary until Feb. 25.
Locally, there was torrential rainfall Wednesday for the first day of early voting. Hardin County Administrator of Elections Jeanette Cronise reports that “only 69 people” voted – 55 on the Republican ballot and 14 on the Democratic.
However, that’s up from 2016, when 64 people in Hardin County cast ballots on the first day of early voting in the comparable presidential primary.
Three names appear on the Republican presidential ballot: President Donald Trump, Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh – who is no longer running for the nomination.
Democrats will see 15 names on their ballot – including five candidates who have dropped out: New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro, former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson.
Tennesseans need to bring a valid photo identification to vote; this includes a driver’s license, a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or a passport. College student IDs are not acceptable.
Locally, early voting takes place at the Election Commission office on the bottom floor of the Hardin County Courthouse in Savannah.
Voting hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.