If you can, make your voice heard early

The rallies and rallying cries will reach another level this weekend, insults on social media will fly and the mud-slinging TV commercials will be as prevalent as Flo slinging Progressive Insurance.

Heck, in Georgia, Oprah is going to throw her support into the governor’s race.

Welcome to the final days of the 2018 election season.

Today is the last day of early voting in Tennessee. Georgia residents can early vote through Friday.

I voted on Halloween, which seemed fitting with all the political horror stories on social media and the scariness around the fright-filled political spectrum of today.

At the Hamilton County Election Commission, the line at 12:20 p.m. — the lunch-time crunch one diligent pollster told me — stretched out the double doors and curved around the sidewalk.

Voters stood patiently in line: old and young, black and white, men and women. Folks in coats and ties and others in cutoffs and tiedyed shirts. The scene was uniquely individual and individually all-inclusive, a place where everyone’s voice has the same merit and magnitude.

Sure, in Tennessee the races that have grabbed most headlines are the ones featuring candidates to be our state’s next CEO and candidates to succeed Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate. And don’t forget the cash that has been spent by the Senate hopefuls — $50 million.

All the races on your ballot matter. Regardless of age or voting experience, making your mark and your voice heard is of the utmost importance. Especially right now.

“That’s right. This is my first time voting,” Justin Metcalf said Wednesday after he filled in the ovals at the Election Commission. “In this current political climate, it’s never been more important to vote.”

Metcalf was not registered to vote two years ago, and he said he still regrets it. So now the UTC student is an active participant in the political process. He will be part of a protest of President Donald Trump on Sunday at McKenzie Arena, he said.

Harold Estes said he also will be at McKenzie Arena on Sunday, but he will be cheering rather than protesting.

Estes, a Harrison resident who is 80 years young, said Wednesday was part of the political process that he never takes for granted. And never misses.

“Too many to remember,” Estes said when asked how many times he has voted. “I don’t think I’ve ever missed one.”

Estes wore a “Make America Great Again” hat Wednesday and put his “I Voted” Tennessee sticker on the front, right above the bill.

But truth be told, each had an equally meaningful voice Wednesday because they voted.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.