Early Voting Ends, Voters Hope Problems Do Too

(Germantown, TN) – The Germantown voting location at New Bethel Church was one of the busiest early voting sites in Shelby County. On the final day hundreds showed up there to cast ballots despite voting problems that have almost overshadowed the election itself.

“I wanted to vote for the candidates of my choice and I wasn’t sure I could get back on Thursday so I came today,” said Nina Scott.

She is just one of the voters who came out Saturday concerned with all the irregularities over 2,000 people have faced in the voting booth with wrong and incomplete ballots. Scott said she looked her ballot over well before casting her vote

“I took a long time,” she said as she laughed. “They were ready to close up and I was still checking it.”

The turnout has set early voting records in places like Collierville, Germantown, and Bartlett, where voting for their municipal schools is drawing out a ton of voters.

“That’s a hot button issue so people are going to want to at least talk about it, vote, speak about it, do whatever they have to,” said Germantown resident, Dan Antonelli.

The Shelby County Election Commission Chairman said election staff worked to iron out the kinks. He says there were no problems Saturday that he was aware of. Whether the problem is fixed by workers or through the State’s audit, Antonelli hopes recent problems don’t discourage people from voting on Election Day.

“It’s one of the most important rights we have so we should take advantage of it when we can,” said Antonelli. “Speak your mind, say what’s on your heart and vote.”

The chairman said the work is ongoing and the commission hopes to have all of the problems worked out by August 2nd.