Thursday is election day, as voters make their choices for local offices and select candidates for state offices. The polls will open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The turnout for early voting was light, according to Administrator of Elections Sula Jenkins. She said the total number of early votes was 868.

For the county’s general election, there is one district race and one countywide race. Democrat Ginger Buchanan, who was appointed by the Governor to the seat vacated by the resignation of Circuit Court Judge John Hagler, faces Mike Sharp for the right to fill out the remainder of the term. Assessor Randy Yates is being challenged by Republican David Dishman. There is no Republican opposition to Road Superintendent Harold Hood.

There are also races in all three School Board districts, where candidates run as Independents.

In the First District, there are three candidates for two seats. Jayson Lamb and Tracy McAbee want to keep their seats. Tom Hunt wants to oust one of them and get back on the Board.

In the Second District, there are three candidates for one seat. Incumbent Grady Samples is being challenged by Ken Dickens and Russ Swafford.

In the Third District, there are four candidates for two seats. David Hyatt is not running for re-election, so there will be at least one new face on the Board. Candidates are incumbent Carlton Deal, L.W. Smith, Stoney Standridge and Mark stone.

Voters in the Copperhill-Ducktown area will be selecting a new Board for the Fourth Fractional Township, as none of the incumbents are seeking re-elections. Four candidates are running for the three seats -- Craig Green, Ronnie O’Neal, John Trantham and Daren Waters.

The only race for constable is in the third District, where Democrat Frankie L. Womble faces Republican Cody Farner. In the First District, Frankie Aaron is unopposed, as is Bobby F. Lea in the Second District.

In the state Primary election, the seats up for grabs include U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee House of Representatives.

There are five Democrats seeking to be chosen the candidate for U.S. Senate -- Mark E. Clayton, Gary G. Davis, Kenneth Eaton, Leonard D. Ladner, Wm. Mike Padgett and Robert D. Tuke. The winner will face incumbent Lamar Alexander in November, who is unopposed in the Primary.

For U.S. House, Democrat Doug Vandagriff is unopposed in his bid to run for U.S. House. On the Republican side, Teresa Sheppard is challenging Zach Wamp, who is seeking re-election.

For State representative, Eric Watson will breeze back into office as there are no Democrat candidates seeking the job.

Voters also have seven yes/no questions on retention of judges.