Thursday's Internet Edition, September 02, 2010.

Roane County Clerk Charlie White said 400 people had voted in his office through Tuesday. Early voting began Friday and ended Wednesday in an election to choose candidates that will run for the U.S. Senate seat of the late Robert C. Byrd. Primary winners will be on the ballot in a special election held in conjunction with the general election in November.

“I’ve got figures from a lot of the other counties and everyone’s surprised by the numbers,” White said.

The totals for early voting were 123 on Friday, 54 on Saturday, 100 on Monday and 123 on Tuesday. For comparison, 575 people voted early for the May primary when a number of races were on the ballot and voting was offered for 20 days.

“The ones who vote early will do it whether they have five days or 20 days,” White said.

Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and remain open until 7:30 p.m. The only polling place change involves Precinct 18, which normally votes at Heritage Park Community Building. The precinct has been moved to the courthouse because the community building had been rented before the election was scheduled.

In the last Saturday election in 2005, 17 percent of Roane voters turned out to cast ballots on a statewide bond amendment.

Republicans have 10 candidates running for the senate seat, Democrats three and the Mountain Party one.

Roane County Commissioners will canvass votes Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. and results will be certified during a special session Thursday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. Both meetings will be at the courthouse.