The early voting period for the Aug. 1 state and county elections has come to an end, and barring a deluge of voters on election day, turnout is expected to be very low.

As of midday Friday, a total of 1,882 Warren countians had cast early ballots, including absentee and nursing home voters. That number is just 7.6 percent of the 24,681 registered voters in Warren County.

“It’s disappointingly low,” Susie Davenport, administrator of the Warren County Election Commission, said. “Traditionally, about 60 percent of voters here vote early, and the March and August elections are usually the lowest turnout we have. But it’s sad – it really is.”

Early voting began on July 12 at the Administration Building and, beginning July 22, voters could also cast ballots at satellite locations in Morrison and Centertown. The early voting period ended yesterday.

Elections on the ballot include primary races for the U.S. House of Representatives in Districts 4 and 6, the U.S. Senate, the 16th District Tennessee Senate seat, State Executive Committeewoman and the 43rd District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The local general election will decide two contested races – one for property assessor, as well as the second district school board seat. Districts 4 and 6 in the school board are also on the ballot, but are uncontested races. According to Davenport, 358 votes have been cast in the contested school board race, which is only open to voters in that district.

A sample ballot for the Aug. 1 election can be found on page 6A of today’s Southern Standard. Polls will be open for Thursday’s election from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Anyone with any questions about their voter registration or polling place is encouraged to contact the Election Commission at (931) 473-5834.