NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Early voting gets underway Wednesday in Tennessee's presidential primary.
Republican and Democratic presidential primary preferences are on the ballot, as well as several county and municipal primaries.
Voters will also weigh in on the Davidson County primary, as well as the municipal election in Berry Hill.
National coverage of the presidential candidates has dominated the news for well over a year.
President Barack Obama carries the Democratic ballot alone and many voters are anxious to see who pick up the Republican nod.
Election officials are expecting large voter turnout and are encouraging voters to take advantage of the early voting.
"It's easier," Davidson County Election Administrator Albert Tieche told Nashville's News 2. You can vote, no matter where you live, you can vote at any of the early voting locations. It fits your schedule, and you don't have to worry about trying to get there only on Election Day when you might be busy so it's very convenient for the voters."
In Davidson County, early voting will be limited to the election commission office for the first two days.
Five more sites will open Tuesday, February 21, at the Bordeaux, Edmondson Pike, Green Hills, Hermitage and Madison libraries.
The polls will be closed Saturday, February 18, and Monday, February 20, in honor of the President's Day holiday.
The presidential primary is also the first election requiring voters to show photo identification and many consider it the first big test.
All voters in the state of Tennessee must have a state- or federally-issued photo ID, even if it's expired.
Acceptable forms of identification include a U.S. passport, military ID, state-issued handgun carry permit, driver's license, or any other state- or federally-issued ID.
A college ID is not acceptable.
There is a temporary allowance for those who don't have a valid id on Election Day.
"Folks who don't bring one can vote on what we call a no-photo ID provisional ballot and then they will have until close of business the second day after election day to come down here to the election office and show us a valid photo ID in order to have the provisional vote count," Tieche said.
There are a few exemptions to the law. Click here to find out if you are eligible.
Early voting continues through February 28.
The primary election in Tennessee is Super Tuesday, March 6.
Read more at TN.gov or Nashville.gov.
Related Stories:
- Feb. 13, 2012: Group releases Tenn. Republican presidential poll
- Jan. 4, 2012: More than 9,000 photo IDs issued for voting purposes
- Jan. 2, 2012: Photo ID, anti-immigration measures among new laws
- Nov. 15, 2011: Smyrna couple raises concern in DC about voter ID law
- Nov. 1, 2011: Election commission holds meetings to discuss voter ID law
- Oct. 19, 2011: Democrats file measure to repeal voter ID law
- Oct. 4, 2011: Groups urge repeal of Tennessee voter ID law
- Sept. 26, 2011: Top lawmakers level charges about Voter ID law
