While Tennessee and Georgia are breaking early voting records, Alabama is waiting for November 5

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAF) – Record-high numbers of early voters are pouring in.

Tennessee had more than 38 percent of expected turnout with 1.8 million early voters. Georgia hit a state record with 3.2 million early voters.

For Alabamians, they will have to wait until November 5.

“If I had the opportunity to vote early, I would because it secures your vote in case something happens on Election Day,” said political analyst Waymon Burke.

Burke said even though we don’t have early voting in the Yellow Hammer State, voters can learn from these numbers.

“There’s a lot of interest in it,” Burke said. “Then (former) President (Donald) Trump in 2020 basically discouraged people from voting by saying it was rigged and things like that and that didn’t work out well for him. Now he is encouraging his supporters to vote early.”

NBC reports that of the 58 million early voters so far, voters are evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. And while Burke said these high numbers are a good sign, he’s not sure if this means more voters overall.

“What we don’t know is that those votes are being cannibalized by the people who would normally have voted on Tuesday,” Burke said.

Madison County Judge Frank Barger Worries About Apathetic Voters; Voters do not go to the polls because they believe it is not necessary.

“It certainly concerns me that more people aren’t participating,” Barger said. “The primaries this year concern me.”

He said only 17 percent of eligible voters in Madison County went to the polls during this year’s primary. That is half of the turnout in the previous elections. But he said that number shouldn’t affect Madison County’s usual 65 percent turnout, as long as voters show up.

‘You can’t complain about the way things are going if you’re not engaged. Don’t let a rainy day, a windy day, a no-weather day affect you,” Barger said.

Voters over 70 years old can skip the line. Just walk up and show your photo ID.

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