NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Early voting started for its first day Friday for the August 6 election.
A number of new safety precautions were taken at the 11 precincts in Davidson County. Voters reacted to what they saw.
"They probably need to have someone out there directing traffic," said Shelia Martin about the line to vote. "It's kind of like a snake. When you see it happen you can tell the next person to come in. So, it's working well even though there is no traffic director."
Masks are encouraged for voters even though it's not mandated by the state. The governor's office said it's a voter's rights issue.
Still, the Davidson County election administrator is asking people to wear masks to protect the poll workers whose average age is 63.
Nearly all of the voters Friday were wearing masks.
Voter Mary Young said she wasn't surprised to see signs and social distance markers on the ground inside the polling place.
"Everywhere else it's that way," she said. "Have little arrows and marks on the floor where to stand and do what you're supposed to do."
The only problem from the day happened early. The printer in the Bellevue polling place wasn't communicating with the voting machines. The election commission fixed the issue after a few hours.
Hand written paper applications were used temporarily while the machines were down.
