BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett visited an early voting location in Blount County on Thursday as part of an effort to visit all 95 counties during the state’s early voting period.
During the stop, Hargett discussed voter turnout, constitutional amendments on the ballot and misinformation circulating online regarding the voting process.
Turnout Tracking Near 2018 Levels
Hargett said early voting participation across Tennessee has varied from county to county, largely depending on the competitiveness of local races. Overall, he said turnout is currently tracking close to levels seen during the 2018 election cycle.
While he noted there are relatively few major races on many ballots this year, voters statewide are being asked to consider three constitutional amendments that require careful review before entering the voting booth.
Review the Ballot Before Voting
Hargett encouraged Tennesseans to familiarize themselves with the ballot ahead of time and take advantage of informational resources available through the state.
“I want people to read the ballot and be prepared before they get here,” Hargett said. “You don’t want to be standing in line reading that constitutional amendment for the very first time and trying to make a decision on the fly.”
The Secretary of State’s office points voters to explanations prepared by the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office to help them better understand the proposed constitutional amendments.
Warning About Viral Voting Hoax
Hargett also addressed a recurring social media hoax claiming that a ballot becomes invalid if a poll worker accidentally makes a mark on it.
He said the claim is false but continues to spread online, creating confusion among voters.
“Somebody put something out about if a poll worker makes a mark on your ballot, then it disqualifies the ballot. People need to be aware of that,” Hargett said. “That’s a hoax that’s been around for a while. But the sad thing is people put that out, it goes viral, and we spend a lot of time trying to play catch up to try and put that fire out.”
Trust Official Sources
Hargett urged voters to seek information from election officials instead of relying on unverified social media posts.
“If they really want to know the truth about something, contact your local election commission, contact the state office,” Hargett said. “Don’t watch somebody who has a kitten for a profile pic and 37 followers.”
Statewide Tour Continues
The Secretary of State’s office said Hargett plans to visit every county in Tennessee before early voting concludes, meeting with local election officials and encouraging voter participation.
Officials continue to remind voters to verify polling locations, review ballots in advance and obtain election information from trusted government sources.
