More Than 65,000 Ballots Already Cast Ahead of Election Day
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Early voting turnout in Knox County continues to exceed expectations, with election officials reporting voter participation is running ahead of the pace seen during the last midterm election.
According to Knox County Administrator of Elections Chris Davis, more than 65,000 ballots have already been cast through a combination of early voting, absentee voting and nursing home voting. With several days remaining in the early voting period, election officials project that between 90,000 and 95,000 ballots could be cast before early voting concludes Thursday.
To handle the steady flow of voters, approximately 180 election workers are staffing the county’s 11 early voting locations.
Some polling places have experienced especially heavy traffic. Davis said the Downtown West location has processed as many as 200 voters per hour, requiring significant staffing resources to keep lines moving efficiently.
“It takes some really good people, and a lot of them, who are willing to work 14 days, who are willing to work 8 and 9 hour days, who are dealing with voter after voter after voter,” Davis said.
Staffing Challenges and Recruitment Efforts
While Knox County has generally had enough workers to fill election-day needs, officials say unexpected staffing shortages can happen at any time.
Davis noted that four workers recently called out sick at a single polling location, forcing election officials to quickly find replacements.
Despite those challenges, he said the county has been fortunate to maintain a strong pool of poll workers and continues recruiting additional help for future elections.
The Election Commission is encouraging residents to apply, including teenagers as young as 16 years old. Young workers do not need to be registered voters but must complete the required paperwork.
Early voting workers earn approximately $14 per hour, while election day workers typically receive between $150 and $175 for their service.
Experienced Workers Help Keep Polls Running
Many workers return election after election.
Elsie Gabrielson, who began working elections during the 2016 presidential race, said she enjoys serving the community and helping voters through the process.
Gabrielson said interactions with voters often extend beyond the polling place, recalling encounters with residents who have remembered and thanked her for assisting them during previous elections.
Meanwhile, Andrew Erath, a fail-safe clerk who has worked elections since 2020, described poll workers as a close-knit group that reunites during each election cycle.
“It’s almost like a little family,” Erath said.
Preparing for Election Day
As election day approaches, Knox County is preparing to dramatically expand its workforce.
Davis said staffing will increase from roughly 180 early-voting workers to about 800 election workers on Election Day.
Officials say continuing to recruit backup workers remains important as turnout rises and unexpected absences occur.
Early voting continues through Thursday, and the Knox County Election Commission says applications remain open for residents interested in helping with future elections.
