This time however, there are several contested school board elections, a county commission election and two controversial measures on the ballot to be decided. All voters are being asked to vote on a $50.00 wheel tax and in Lenoir City voters will decide whether or not to eliminate the one hundred year old elected treasurer/recorder position. Both measurers are sure to increase the voter turnout.

After only the first eight days of early voting, 1,092 voters have gone to the polls or voted absentee. In comparison, the August 2004 election had a total county wide vote of  2,644. Even though the turnout has been good so far, it's still hard to imagin how many voters still wont bother to vote at all. Loudon County currently has a little more than 27,000 registered voters.

Early voting will continue through August 2nd, Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Saturdays 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. July 30th, 31st and August 1st will have extended hours of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.