thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

More than 11,574 Blount Countians have already cast their ballots in the run-up to the Nov. 4 election.

Administrator of Elections Libby Breeding said early voting is on track to break the record 17,397 early votes cast in the 2004 presidential election.

"Absolutely, we've already been over 10,000 (Monday)," she said. "It's been definitely busy, but even as busy as it's been, right now there is no line. We've been able to get people through within 15 minutes or so."

As of Tuesday, more than 11,574 Blount County residents had cast early votes in person or with absentee ballots through the mail. In 2004, 17,397 early and absentee votes were cast in the presidential campaign. In the 2000 presidential election, there were 10,790 early votes.

Voters are choosing among Democrat Barack Obama, Republican John McCain and several independent candidates for the next U.S. president. The race is an important one to local residents.

GOP headquarters

"This year is important because the Democrats aren't trying to hide it this year that they are wanting to redistribute the wealth," said Bobbie French, 77. "We worked hard for what we have and if possible I want to leave it to my children, not somebody else's."

French and 87-year-old Grayce Cabbage were holding down the fort at the Blount County Republican Party Headquarters, 301 Ellis Avenue, on Wednesday.

When asked about the tone of the campaign, French said it's been no worse than any presidential campaign.

"I can remember back to the 1948 election," she said. "It's not any worse than it ever has been and McCain has tried to make it less."

During the interview with the two ladies, a man, who never identified himself, walked into the headquarters and said he wanted a McCain yard sign because a "stupid Democrat" had put up an Obama sign near his home.

"I'll show him," the man said. "I'll cancel his vote out."

After receiving the sign and other campaign paraphernalia, the man told Cabbage and French that he'd move to a foreign country if Obama wins because "America will be a communist nation" and that he wouldn't serve under a "Muslim radical."

Democrat headquarters

At the Blount County Democratic Party Headquarters, 305 Ellis Ave., downstairs in the same office complex, Blount County Democratic Party Chair Dave Finch took a few moments to talk about his party's strategy during the early voting period.

"All we're doing is contacting citizens and asking them to vote early," Finch said. "We're calling partisan, not necessarily the other side. We don't have a lot of sales pitch other than it would be a good time to vote early."

The Blount County Democratic Party recently sent a group of volunteers to campaign in neighboring North Carolina.

"The race is a lot closer there than Tennessee," Finch said. "Rather than expend the energy here, we put out the call for volunteers (to campaign there)."

The experience proved positive for the volunteers. "Everybody came back with a smile on their faces," he said.

Mark Paulley, who stopped by the Democratic Headquarters, said he had been surprised with some of his Republican acquaintances during the campaign.

"I've been talking a lot of Republicans who ... said they've had enough and they were going to vote for Obama," Paulley said. "And, they said it out loud, too."

Finch said it's that kind of voter than both campaigns were trying to sway.

"It's the middle 20 percent we're all dancing around," Finch said. "The people who aren't necessarily independent, but they are not necessarily diehard partisans, either."

Each party has its true believers, unlikely to be swayed by any argument from the opposition.

"On our side, we call them the Yellow Dog Democrats because they'd rather vote for a yellow dog than vote for a Republican," Finch said. "I'm sure the other side has the same."

Voting locations

Early voting runs through Oct. 30. There are three polling sites:

Election Commission office
383 Court Street
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Everett gym
3185 Everett High Road
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
No Saturday voting

Pellissippi State Technical Community College
1010 Middlesettlements Road
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No Saturday voting