While Tennessee and Georgia break early voting records, Alabama waits for November 5

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Record-high early voting numbers are rolling in.

Tennessee saw more than 38 percent of the expected turnout with 1.8 million early voters. Georgia reached a state record with 3.2 million early voters.

For Alabamians, they will have to wait for November 5.

“If I had the opportunity to vote early I would because that sort of ensures your vote in case something happens on election day, ”Political analyst Waymon Burke said.

Burke said even though we don’t have early voting in the Yellow Hammer state, voters can learn from these numbers.

“There is a great deal of intense interest in this,” Burke said. “2020 then [former] President [Donald] Trump basically discouraged people from voting saying that it was rigged and that type of thing and that did not work well for him. Now he is encouraging his supporters to vote early.”

NBC is reporting that of the 58 million early voters, so far, it is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. And while Burke said these high numbers are a good sign, he is not sure if this means more voters overall.

“What we don’t know is are those votes are being cannibalized by the people who would have normally voted on Tuesday,” Burke said.

Madison County probate Judge Frank Barger is concerned about apathetic voters; Voters not hitting the polls because they feel they don’t have to.

“It certainly concerns me that more folks are not participating,” Barger said. “The primary this year concerns me.”

He shared that only 17 percent of eligible voters in Madison County went to the polls during this year’s primary. That’s half of the turnout the election prior. But he said that number shouldn’t affect the usual 65 percent voter turnout Madison County sees as long as voters show up.

“You can’t complain about how things turn out if you’re not engaged. Don’t let a rainy day, a windy day, and an off-weather day, don’t let that impact you,” Barger said.

Voters older than 70 years old are allowed to skip the line. Just walk up to the front and show them your photo ID.

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