By Katie Northcott, News Director
NOTE: This story has been updated to include a statement from Andy Farrar.
On Monday, April 20, Coffee County Election Administrator Andy Farrar reported a voter turnout of 3.9 percent after five days of early voting.
Farrar has been reporting voter turnout on his Facebook page at the end of each day the polls have been open. On the first day of early voting, Farrar said that voter turnout was lower than usual. Farrar’s reports are listed below:
- Day 1 (Wednesday, April 15) – 398 voters (1% of Coffee County voters)
- Day 2 (Thursday, April 16) – 327 voters (total: 725 voters or 1.89% of Coffee County voters)
- Day 3 (Friday, April 17) – 338 voters (total: 1,063 voters or 2.77% of Coffee County voters)
- Day 4 (Saturday, April 18) – 154 voters (total: 1,217 voters or 3.17% of Coffee County voters)
- Day 5 (Monday, April 20) – 280 voters (total: 1,497 voters or 3.9% of Coffee County voters)
Below is a picture Farrar posted, breaking down voter turn out by precinct:
Early voting is open until Thursday, April 30. Votes may be cast Monday through Saturday at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza (1329 McArthur St., Suite 6 in Manchester) or at C.D. Stamps Community Center (810 S. Jackson St. in Tullahoma).
At the Administrative Plaza, voting hours are as follows:
- Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
At C.D. Stamps, voting hours are as follows:
- Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Click here to find audio from the political forum hosted by Thunder Radio on Thursday, April 16.
Farrar sent the following statement to Peterson Media Group on Wednesday, April 22:
Early Voting began in Coffee County last Wednesday, April 15th. Coffee County has 38,374 registered voters for the May 5, 2026 Primary Election. Early voting turnout has been slow, no lines, no waiting, and only averaging 294 voters a day through 6 days. Citizens of Coffee County are encouraged to utilize the early voting period that runs until Thursday, April 30th. The May 5, 2026 Party Primary Election is to select the party representatives that will be on the August General Election ballot. This is a very important election to select candidates for offices that affect our everyday lives in Coffee County, like County Mayor, County Commissioners, Trustee, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Road Superintendent, and School Board, etc. Every Election is important and every vote matters in having your voice heard. In the Primary Election in May 2022, 19% turnout, or 7,300 voters, decided this important election. This early voting period is trending for a lower turnout. Come see us at the Coffee County Administration Plaza in Manchester 8:00 to 4:30 or at C D Stamps in Tullahoma 9:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. On Saturday April 25 th , we will be open 8:30 to 12:00 in Manchester and 9:00 to 12:00 in Tullahoma. Election day is Tuesday, May 5 th and polls are open 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. You will be required to go to your assigned voting precinct on this day. If you have questions about where to vote, call us at 931-723-5103 or visit www.govotetn.gov. Please remember to bring your State or Federal picture ID.
