Early voting turnout produced solid numbers across the Upper Cumberland as Election Day approaches Tuesday.
More than 26,000 residents voted early across Putnam, Clay, Fentress. Jackson, Overton and White Counties. Most areas reported early voting turnout that surpassed both the August, 2026 election and the 2022 gubernatorial race.
Clay County stood as the only county surveyed where early voting fell below August’s turnout. Most areas showed voting totals in the 20 percent range of the total electorate.
Putnam County Administrator of Elections Jennifer Murphy reported 13,236 early votes, representing 24.93 percent of the county’s registered voters. That marks an increase of more than 4,000 votes from both comparison elections.
Putnam recorded 9,183 early votes in August and 9,122 during the 2022 general election. The 2026 total represents a roughly 44 percent increase from August and a 45 percent increase from 2022.
White County Administrator of Elections Sherry Anderson reported 4,197 in-person and absentee votes as of Thursday, representing 21.96 percent of registered voters. White County recorded approximately 3,680 early votes in August.
The county reported 3,259 early and absentee votes during the 2022 general election, when 7,033 people ultimately voted. This year’s pre-Election Day turnout has already surpassed the 2022 early and absentee total by more than 900 votes.
Overton County Administrator of Elections Craig Story reported 3,557 early voters, or 21.56 percent of registered voters. That compares with 3,123 early voters in August and 2,909 in the 2022 general election.
Fentress County Administrator of Elections Joey Williams reported 3,230 early votes, representing 21.60 percent of registered voters. The county recorded 3,029 early votes in August, followed by another 2,165 votes on Election Day. Fentress recorded 2,703 early votes during the 2022 general election.
Clay County bucked the regional trend. Administrator of Elections Monica Davis reported 1,029 early voters, representing 18.14 percent of the county’s registered voters.
That number sits well below the 1,802 early votes cast in August, though it remains higher than the 706 early votes recorded during the 2022 general election.
Jackson County Administrator of Elections Drew McMillian reported 1,622 early voters, representing approximately 18 percent of registered voters. Fifteen absentee ballots remained outstanding.
Jackson County recorded 1,231 early votes in August and 1,194 during the 2022 general election. This year’s early turnout has already surpassed the 2022 figure by more than 400 votes.
Across the six counties surveyed, 26,871 people have voted early or were included in the reported pre-Election Day totals. Five counties surpassed their August early-voting totals, while all six exceeded their 2022 early-voting totals.
Putnam posted the highest turnout percentage among the six counties at 24.93 percent, followed by White County at 21.96 percent, Fentress County at 21.60 percent and Overton County at 21.56 percent. Clay and Jackson Counties both reported turnout near 18 percent.
Election Day is Tuesday.