Tue. Nov 5th, 2024

Luseni Kromach, holding his son Alhaji Bangle, vote at Casa Azafrán in Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Luseni Kromach, holding his son Alhaji Bangle, vote at Casa Azafrán in Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

In addition to the presidential election, the 2024 election in Tennessee means all 99 state house members are on the ballot and half of the state’s 33 senators, in addition to three high profile federal elections: incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn faces Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson in one.

Two congressional districts feature competitive races. In District 5, embattled  incumbent Republican congressmen, U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles in District 5 faces Nashville activist Maryam Abolfazli and District 7 Rep. Mark Green goes head to head with former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

4 mins ago

“Too much like reality TV.” Voters ready to get to the next chapter.

By: – Tuesday November 5, 2024 10:00 am

At the Nashville Public Library’s Bellevue Branch, where long lines marked early voting, about 65 people had voted by 7:30 a.m., said Tom Bayersdorfer, a poll supervisor. 

The library serves as the voting site for two west Nashville precincts, and Bayersdorfer said they were prepared for any volume of voters that came their way: 18 people are working election day at the small precinct with fewer than ten voting booths. 

Walking out of the library after casting their votes, Daryl Rocco and Robert Stefanovich had different perspectives on the 2024 presidential election after casting their votes. 

Darryl Rocco, left, and Robert Stefanovich cast their vote at the Nashville Public Library Bellevue Branch on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anita Wadhwani)
Darryl Rocco, left, and Robert Stefanovich cast their vote at the Nashville Public Library Bellevue Branch on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo: Anita Wadhwani)

“I’m hopeful for Kamala and maybe some change could happen,” Rocco said. 

“The real problems the country is facing are not going to be fixed no matter who wins,” Stefanovich said. “I would be happy if we could turn to the next chapter.”

Both had criticisms for the role of media coverage in this year’s election. 

“It’s too much like reality TV,” Rocco said of the coverage. “People are looking at this as if it’s reality TV and it’s not.”

Rocco eschews nearly all media, turning to the Associated Press for reliable information, she said. 

 

Last updated: 10:02 am

37 mins ago

Early voting drops 3% in Tennessee as Davidson, Shelby counties see declines

By: 9:27 am

More than 2.2 million Tennesseans cast ballots during early voting over the past two weeks as turnout nearly reached 46%, nearly 3% fewer than the 2020 presidential election total.

Photojournalists John Partipilo and Karen Pulfer Focht photographed early voting sites in Nashville and Memphis, even as both counties saw declines in early voting.

A woman casts her early vote at Memphis's Gaisman Park early voting site. (Karen Pulfer Focht)
A woman casts her early vote at Memphis’s Gaisman Park early voting site. (Karen Pulfer Focht)

Last updated: 9:27 am

 

By