Tennessee's midterm election arrives Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Madison County voters will see a long ballot. Here is a plain-language rundown drawn from local and state reporting.
When and what
Polls in West Tennessee are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time. Anyone who is already standing in line when the polls close is still allowed to vote. Voters should bring a valid photo ID.
The statewide ballot includes the race for governor. Voters will also choose U.S. representatives in all nine of Tennessee's congressional districts, along with members of the state House and Senate. A preliminary sample ballot published by the Ballot Project for Madison County also lists a U.S. Senate race, the 8th Congressional District, and a special election for Jackson-Madison County school board District 5, Position 2. According to NBC 39, three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution are on the ballot too, and local elections are being held in the Madison County towns of Threeway and Medon.
Who already voted
Madison County recorded 16,171 early and absentee voters before early voting closed on Oct. 29. Those voters do not need to do anything more. Registration for this election closed Oct. 5, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot was Oct. 24, so neither option is available now.
Weather and timing
The Tennessee Lookout's election-eve newsletter notes that rain is possible across the state on Tuesday afternoon and evening, something that often holds turnout down. Its advice for voters who would rather stay dry is to go earlier in the day.
Results
Election officials do not count early ballots until Election Day. Counties have until Monday, Nov. 23 to certify their results, so a close race may take time to settle. In Madison County, administrator of elections Lori Lott has said the county prepares its voting equipment over a three-day process, covering 259 pieces of equipment. She encouraged voters to look over their ballots carefully before submitting them.
Raw 100.5 will report results for Jackson and Madison County as they become available.
Sources: NBC 39, Daily Deskline, Tennessee Lookout, Ballot Project