While the nation chose Barack Obama as the next President of the United States, Polk County supported Republican John McCain, as did most of the counties in Tennessee. Obama failed to win a single precinct in the county and only took seven counties in Tennessee. The local total was 4,267 for McCain and 2,124 for Obama.

Polk also favored Republicans Lamar Alexander in his successful bid to keep his seat in the U.S. Senate with 4,233 votes against 1,794 for Robert Tuke, and Zach Wamp in his winning effort to to keep his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, 4,382 to 1,724 for Doug Vandagriff.

The only local race was for Copperhill Mayor, won by Cecil Arp with 86 votes, compatred to 76 for Frank Payne and 47 for incumbent Herb Hood. For alderman, there were four candidates for the four seats – Bob Barclay Jr., Bill Standridge and incumbents Kathy Stewart and Hal Williamson.

In Benton, there was no opposition for Mayor Jerry Stephens or commissioners Joe Jenkins and Gene Pack.

State Representative Republican Eric Watson was also unopposed in his bid for re-election.

Voter turnout was heavy, with 55.3% of registered voters going to the polls. Turnout was higher than 61% at precincts in Delano, PCHS, and Parksville. The lowest turnout was the Ducktown Courthouse, with 50.7%. The largest number of votes cast was in the Presidential race, with 6,501 voted total, followed by 6,317 for U.S. Representative and 6,241 for U.S. Senator.

Tennessee was one of four states – including West Virginia, Louisiana and Arkansas – that increased its percentage of Republican votes for President. Bradley County gave McCain his largest margin at 74.2%.

On the state level, the Tennessee legislature is dominated by Republicans for the first time since the period following the Civil War. Republicans have a 50-49 lead in the House, up four from last year, and a 19-14 majority in the Senate, up three. This is expected to bring a change in the Speaker of the House, currently held by Jimmy Naifeh.

By state law, the legislature elects the constitutional offices of Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer, currently held by Democrats. In addition, these officers control jobs not protected by civil service.

The makeup of the five-member state Election Commission is based on the makeup of the legislature, with three members in the majority party and two in the minority party, although there are questions about whether this will change immediately since the members are elected for four-year terms, which do not expire until 2011. The makeup of all county Election Commissions, which hire the election administrator, follows the makeup of the state Election Commission, so major changes are in the future. Local election commissioners are appointed by the state Election Commission in April in every odd-numbered year.