Midterm early voter turnout tops 2022 stats by 57% in first 8 days, but lags behind 2018

Eight days into early voting, turnout was more than 57% higher for Tennessee’s Nov. 3 midterm election than it was in 2022, according to state data. 

More than 665,600 people cast their ballots as of Thursday, representing 13.85% of registered voters in Tennessee. The early voter turnout still lags behind 2018’s 8-day total of 810,056.

The higher turnout comes after state lawmakers redrew Congressional districts this spring in an effort to give Republican candidates a boost at the polls. This year’s ballot includes multiple high-profile races with no incumbents.

Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn faces Democratic contender Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member, and a field of independents including David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston for the state’s open governor seat.

Voter Guide: 2026 Midterm General Election

Voter turnout in Shelby County, which was divided into three congressional districts, is nearly 70% ahead of 2022 with almost 89,000 ballots cast as of Thursday. The county’s turnout is still about 9.6% behind turnout in 2018.

In West Tennessee, Haywood County’s turnout is nearly 92% higher than in 2022, with 1,582 votes cast. Hardeman County’s 2,034 votes puts it 61% of 2022 turnout statistics. Both counties remain about 12% behind 2018 early voting numbers. In this year’s primary election, Haywood County saw more total Democratic ballots pulled than Republican by a narrow margin.

Williamson County is also outpacing its 2022 turnout by nearly 69% with 35,982 ballots cast. It, too, is behind 2018 turnout by about 12%.

Eyes are on the vacant seats in Congressional Districts 5 and 9, both of which now stretch from left-leaning Memphis through rural West Tennessee and conclude in Williamson County, the wealthiest county in the state and a stronghold for conservatives. Democrats and Republicans alike have poured money into the races in the last 90 days to fund final pushes before Nov. 3.

In District 9, State Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat, is competing with Republican Shelby County Sen. Brent Taylor. 

Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher unseated District 5 incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the Republican primary in August in a notable upset. Hatcher has since been endorsed by President Donald Trump and faces Democratic candidate Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia.

The 8th Congressional district also encompasses part of Shelby County and parts of West Tennessee. Republican U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, the incumbent, faces Democratic nominee former Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn and a slate of independent candidates. 

Early voting runs through Oct. 29.