Early voting polls open today Polls open for early voting today Early voting starts today at the Shelby County Election Commission and 18 satellite locations in the county for the Aug. 3 Democratic and Republican primaries, as well as state and county general elections. Eleven races are on tap for this election, including U.S. Representative and Senate seats, state Senate, three judicial positions, general sessions court clerk, county school board and the Milllington municipal judge. The hottest race is the bid for the Shelby County Assessor position currently held by Rita Clark. State Sen. Tom Leatherwood, Michael Hooks and Bob Kahn are vying for the seat, as well. Registered voters can cast ballots at any early voting location. Area-specific ballots will be provided when a voter signs an application. Early voting started in 1995. It is geared to those who know they will be unavailable to vote election day, the elderly and those who wish to avoid crowds at the polls. First-time voters are prime candidates for early voting, since crowds are all but non-existent and new voters can take more time to mull over the ballot, said Tammy Morrow, clerical specialist for the Shelby County Election Commission. While early voting has been available for several years now, those taking advantage of the additional opportunity to vote has been minimal. Low voter turnout has been an issue state and nationwide for several years. In the March 14 presidential primary, only 9.9 percent of registered voters in Shelby County cast a ballot. In the October city election, that figure was 9.7 percent. Those who wish to vote at the Election Commission office, 157 Poplar Ave., Suite 121, can do so from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Thursday through July 28. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22 and July 29. At the 18 satellite locations, the polls will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through July 28, with Saturday hours on July 22 and July 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The satellite locations and their addresses are: The Agricenter, D Wing-Lower Level, 7777 Walnut Grove Road; All Saints Episcopal Church, 1508 S. White Station Road; Baker Community Center, 7942 Church St.; Bartlett United Methodist Church, 5676 Stage Road; Belclair Church of Christ, 4536 Summer Ave.; Bishop Byrne High School, 1475 E. Shelby Dr.; Capleville United Methodist Church, 4725 E. Riverdale Road; Collierville Library, Community Room, 91 Walnut St.; Greater Middle Baptist Church, 4982 Knight Arnold; Guthrie School, Multipurpose Room, 951 Chelsea Ave; Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue Boulevard; Mount Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, 620 Parkrose Ave.; New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 2231 S. Parkway E.; Pyramid Recovery Center, 1833 S. Third at Belz; Raleigh United Methodist Church, 3295 Powers Road; St. Georges Episcopal Church, 8250 Poplar Ave.; St. Stephens Baptist Church, 3045 Chelsea Ave.; and Vollintine Evergreen Community Association, 1680 Jackson Ave. In conjunction with the first day of early voting, the Shelby County Republican Party has a rally planned at noon at the courthouse at Adams Avenue. Additional information about early voting, specific races and voting locations is available at www.election.co.shelby.tn.us.