Polls will open across the county Tuesday for the DeKalb County Democratic Primary after a sparse turnout for early voting.

The polls in DeKalb’s 15 voting precincts will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., May 1. Those who did not exercise their early voting option can vote at their local polling place. Election Administrator Dennis Stanley reminds voters to make sure to bring a government issued photo identification (most common is a driver license) with them, adding that since Tennessee is an open state, any registered voter is allowed to vote in the Democratic primary regardless of their voting history.

Tuesday’s primary comes after a less-than-stellar start to balloting as projections through the end of early voting Thursday suggest turnout for early voting will be down from the same primary four years ago when 1,701 cast ballots early. A total of 3,313 voted in the 2014 primary. Stanley noted that typically early voting and election day voting are about 50/50. There had been 711 people vote as of close of polls this past Saturday. Stanley noted that the opening days and closing days of early voting are generally the heaviest voted, meaning there was still hope as of press-time that big days Wednesday and Thursday could bring the early voting numbers back up to 2014 levels.

Anyone who wishes to early vote can do so by going by the courthouse from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today or 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Voters who do go to the polls will get to decide who will represent the Democratic Party in the races for sheriff, circuit court clerk, register of deeds, road superintendent, county clerk and in all seven county commission districts. Voters will also be deciding who will move forward in the heavily contested county mayor race as incumbent Tim Stribling is facing opposition from former mayor Mike Foster and county commissioner Bradley Hendrix.

There is no Republican primary as the party caucused and decided who will represent the GOP in the August general election.

Those who did not vote early and are unsure of their polling place should refer to their voter registration card or call the election office. Those who have moved to another address other than what is shown on their voter card should consider voting early since a change of address request can be filled and your vote cast during the visit without further inconvenience.

“That can save a lot of headaches by doing it at early voting rather than the day of the election,” Stanley advised.