Updated October 22, 2018

Tennesseans are voting in record numbers with close to 350,000 ballots cast in the first three days of early voting.

According to vote totals on the Secretary of State’s website 345,844 early and absentee ballots had been cast in the midterm elections by the end of the day Friday.

The election includes a high-profile race between U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen to replace retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker.

In the governor’s race, polls show businessman Bill Lee with a lead over Democratic former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean in the race to succeed Gov. Bill Haslam.

Since early voting began last Wednesday as of Monday morning 1780 have voted early in the election in Giles County. Early voting continues thru November 1 in the basement of the courthouse annex in the election commission office. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:00 and on Saturday 8:00-12:00 for early voting.