Voters will be choosing a new President on Tuesday, with early voting  being heavy throughout the nation. In Polk County, Coordinator of Elections Sula Jenkins said early voting turnout was heavy, with 2,024 of the county’s 12,078 voters casting a ballot through Monday afternoon. The only local race with competition on the ballot is for Mayor  of Copperhill.

Early voting continues through Thursday, Oct. 30. The last satellite voting at the Copper Basin Community Center will be Wednesday, Oct. 29. Voting hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Election Commission office and the satellite precinct.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. All precincts will open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

In addition to Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, there are six Independent candidates for President on the ballot – Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, Charles Jay, Cynthia McKinney, Brian Moore and Ralph Nader.

For U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Lamar Alexander is being challenged by Democrat Robert D. Tuke and six Independents – Edward  L. Buck, Christopher G. Fenner, David Gatchell, Ed Lawhorn, Daniel Towers Lewis and Chris Lugo.

Republican Congressman Zach Wamp is challenged by Democrat Doug Vandagriff and Independents Ed Choate and Jean Howard-Hill.

For Tennessee House of Representatives, incumbent Republican Eric Watson has no opposition.

In Copperhill, there are three candidates seeking to be Mayor – incumbent Herb Hood, Cecil F. Arp Jr. and Frank Robert Payne. The are four candidates for the four spots as Alderman in Copperhill – R.E. Barclay Jr., W.L. Standridge, Kathy Stewart, and Harold V. Williamson.

In Benton, Jerry Stephens is unopposed for Mayor and Joe Jenkins and Gene Pack are unopposed for commissioner.

Local vote totals will be posted on www.polknewsonline as soon as they are available. Precinct totals will be included in  the Nov. 12 Polk County News.