Early Voting Surges in Tennessee, Maury County Sees 32% Increase

Issue #777

July 22, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Partly cloudy w/ high of 84, low of 65

🗳️ Early Voting Surges in Tennessee, Maury County Sees 32% Increase

🛝 7/25: Grand Opening of Sweetwater Park

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Early Voting Surges in Tennessee, Maury County Sees 32% Increase

From Cassandra Wilson at The Tennessee Lookout…

More than 75,000 Tennessee voters cast their ballots in the first two days of early voting for the August primary election, according to data released by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.

That outpaces the same early voting period in the 2022 primary election by nearly 24,000 voters — a 47% increase.

Maury County, a key middle Tennessee county, is mirroring the statewide momentum this year. Through the first two days, Maury County reported a 32% increase in overall turnout compared to August 2022. Driving much of that swell is a 94% surge in Democratic Primary turnout alongside a 14% increase in GOP turnout.

This year’s ballot includes multiple high-profile competitive primaries, including a gubernatorial race with no incumbent and several races for newly redrawn U.S. Congressional districts.

Republicans U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts are vying for a spot on the November gubernatorial ballot. Democratic primary contenders include Memphis City Council member Jerri Green, Memphian Carnita Atwater, farmer Tim Cyr and Nashville-based steel guitar player Adam Kurtz.

Statewide, voters submitted 48,378 Republican ballots and 24,520 Democratic ballots, according to state data.

In Maury County, while Republican ballots still outnumber Democratic ones roughly 2 to 1 in Maury County, that represents a significant shift from the 3.5-to-1 ratio seen during the same period in 2022.

The number of Democratic primary ballots eclipsed Republican ballots in four counties, including the state’s two most populous: Shelby County and Davidson County. Hardeman and Haywood counties in West Tennessee also saw more Democratic ballots pulled than Republican by a narrower margin.

Tennessee’s 17 urban counties saw primary voter turnout during the first two days of early voting increase 72% from 2022. Rural counties saw a 27% increase.

Notably, Gov. Bill Lee, the incumbent, ran unopposed in the 2022 Republican primary election, which may partly account for lower 2022 voter turnout. On the Democratic primary ballot, Jason Martin narrowly defeated Memphis Councilmember JB Smiley Jr.

But the 2022 primary also debuted a 5th U.S. Congressional district that broke the boundaries of Davidson County. Incumbent Jim Cooper, a Nashville Democrat who represented Nashville for two decades, bowed out of the race. State Sen. Heidi Campbell, a Nashville Democrat, ran unopposed on the Democratic primary ticket, but the Republican ticket was crowded with nine candidates. Maury County Republican Andy Ogles ultimately won the seat.

7/25: Grand Opening of Sweetwater Park

You're invited to the Grand Opening of Sweetwater Park!

Join us on Saturday, July 25 at 9:00 am as we officially celebrate the opening of Maury County's newest park!

The morning will include:
- A welcome, park dedication, and ribbon cutting
- Cool off with a snow cone from Kona Ice
- Culleoka Community Club will be serving up hot dogs
- Coffee and water available while supplies last

Whether you're a nearby neighbor, a longtime park supporter, or simply looking for a reason to get outside, we'd love to celebrate this exciting milestone with you. Come help us cut the ribbon and be among the first to experience everything Sweetwater Park has to offer!

Location: Sweetwater Park
Address: 2420 Mooresville Pike, Culleoka, TN
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, July 23rd

Friday, July 24th 

Saturday, July 25th

Monday, July 27th

Tuesday, July 28th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, July 23
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM

Friday, July 24
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Jane & Jo - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Open Mic - Grinder's Switch Winery, 6-8 PM
Music City Dueling Pianos - The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Kenny & Bob Acoustic Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, July 25
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12-6 PM
CrossBridges - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Sins Country - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Def Leprechaun Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 6 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
The Velvet Troubadours (Music on the Porch Series) - Manor Hall, 216 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, 6-9 PM
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Karli & James - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Nashville Yacht Club Band - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Vaughn Station Band - The Boondox, 8 PM
Downsouth Band - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 26
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Parker & Joe - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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