Aides deny report that Alexander will step aside for Manning Senate bid

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander's office on Friday denied a report published in Politico that he will not seek re-election. The same report suggested that "several Republicans are wondering whether Peyton Manning will run" for that seat.

In fact, Tom Ingram, a top aide in Sen. Alexander's office and one of his longtime campaign leaders, told 10News he and the senator have already begun discussing the 2020 re-election bid.

Even though he has made no formal decision to run, Senator Alexander has already begun fundraising for that campaign, according to a statement from David Cleary, his chief of staff.

As to the mention of legendary Vol quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired from the NFL last year, he has not indicated any interest in getting into politics.

Manning did speak at a GOP retreat on Thursday, though that event was not open to the press.

Manning, a popular figure in Tennessee, owns property in the state where he played college football before heading to the NFL.

Cleary acknowledged Manning's popularity in his statement, though didn't comment on his political aspirations.

“Like everybody else in Tennessee, Senator Alexander is a big fan of Peyton Manning," he said.

Sheriff Jones for mayor? Possibly

Word traveling around the City County Building is that Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones is contemplating a run for the county mayoral post.

Jones is term-limited and cannot run for sheriff again. He can, however, run for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Tim Burchett also is term-limited.

As it stands, county commissioners Bob Thomas and Brad Anders, and local GOP Chairman Buddy Burkhardt, who works for the sheriff's office, are set to square off in the May 2018 Republican primary.

If Jones does decide to run, expect an announcement in the next couple of months.

Commish at-large seats heating up

The Knox County Republican Primary is still a good ways off, but already one at-large commission seat is getting some interest.

Larsen Jay, the founder of Random Acts of Flowers, filed his appointment of treasurer documents with the Knox County Election Commission on Friday. He named his wife.

Jay is running for Seat 10, which is one of two at-large seats on the 11-member board. Incumbent Bob Thomas will not seek re-election and is instead running for county mayor.

In addition, Justin Biggs said he, too, plans to run for that seat. He will probably make a more formal announcement in the coming months.

Biggs is the son of Eddie Biggs, a well-liked chief deputy in the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The Republican Primary isn’t until May 2018.

In addition, former Commissioner R. Larry Smith in November announced his intentions to seek the other at-large seat (No. 11). He named Donald Henderlight as his treasurer.

Incumbent Ed Brantley doesn’t plan to seek re-election.

Another former county commissioner, Ivan Harmon, also is rumored to make a run at one of the at-large seats.

Boyd 'considering' 2018 run for gov

Knoxville businessman and baseball team owner Randy Boyd “is considering” plans to announce his 2018 candidacy for governor within the next month.

The move comes as the longtime philanthropist and Republican steps down as the state’s economic and community development commissioner to return to the private sector.

"Most people are encouraging me to run, so it's something I am considering,” Boyd told WBIR 10News Monday. “It's a big sacrifice but there are so many things Gov. Haslam has started like the ‘Drive to 55,’ like the commitment to helping our rural communities. I want to make sure that momentum continues. If I were to run, it would be to make sure that happened.”

Incumbent Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is term-limited and leaves office after 2018.

Other top Republicans rumored to make a run at the job include two members of the U.S. House of Representatives – Diane Black and Marsha Blackburn – and state Speaker of the House Beth Harwell.

In addition, state Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, has filed the paperwork to run.

On the Democratic side, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Nashville businessman Bill Freeman are rumored to join the fray.

The gubernatorial general election is set for November 2018.

Boyd announced last week that he was stepping down from his job as Haslam’s go-to person for economic growth and development in order to return to the private sector. He leaves at the end of the month.

Boyd heads Radio Systems Corp., which he created, develops area real estate and also owns the Tennessee Smokies AA baseball team. He also chairs tnAchieves, the partner organization to Tennessee Promise.

Haslam, a former Knoxville mayor, tapped Boyd in 2013 to serve as a special adviser in higher education, part of a strategy to boost post-secondary training of the state's workforce.

Haslam has previously credited Boyd with bringing some 50,000 jobs to the state and $11 billion in capital investments.

In 2013, he served as the special advisor on higher education to the state where he spearheaded the Drive to 55 initiative and Tennessee Promise.

Boyd told WBIR that on Monday alone he was approached seven times from people asking him his future political plans.

He told 10News that he plans to take the first couple of weeks of February to decide if running for governor is right for him.

"Most of the concerns are personal,” he said. “The travel, the being away. But as far as the work is concerned, I'm very comfortable that I could do the work. I'm excited about the progress we've made in education, the progress we've made in economic development, progress to help our rural communities. Those are the things that would energize me to do it.”

He added that at one time he felt campaigning was tedious, but he now feels it’s a way to meet people around the state.

"The more I've thought about it the more I've thought about it it's really governor training school,” he said. “You're basically spending your time out talking to people. If I were to run, I know I'm not the best speaker in the world, I'm certainly not the best debater. But I'd like to strive to be the best listener. Just being able to travel around the state and be a great listener and hearing people's concerns I think it would be really fun and rewarding. I think it might be something I would really enjoy.”

Q&A with Council candidate Tindell

We did a short interview today with former state Rep. Harry Tindell who announced his intentions to seek a city on the Knoxville City Council. Tindell, a Democrat, served in the state House for 22 years before opting not to seek re-election in 2012. He served on the Knox County School Board from 1986 to 1990 before joining the Tennessee General Assembly.

Here’s a snapshot of the discussion:

Getting back into politics.

I served in local and state government for a number of years, but I’ve been out – this is the fifth year – but I’ve been watching and I have kind of a yearning to get back involved. I’m passionate about helping the community

On previous political experience.

Well, the things I did in Nashville were all locally relevant. Education – I was on the state and local government committee for 22 years and chairman of the local government committee. All local issues that you read about – they all start in Nashville – so I’m very familiar with local governmental issues.

Then I finished up my career in Nashville as the chairman of the budget committee. That was of course good experience because you can’t run a government without a good budget.

On whether he has a specific platform.

I would say it’s two things. I am from the district . . . (and) I know the district very well. Two, the City of Knoxville is humming along at a really nice pace. Things are going good at Market Square, development, jobs, everything is going well here. What I say is that I’m not here to break the mold. What I want to do is build on the good things that we’re already doing – make it better, take it to the next level.

On specific changes.

I think like all residents there’s some things you would tweak. Broadway – you can’t talk about it or all the north Knoxville arteries without talking about the traffic congestion. At some point, we’ve got to address that . . . . I want to talk to the residents and here what they have to say and take their views to the council as well.

On a tax increase.

I don’t think we need that in the present situation. Like I said, the city is well managed. They’re doing the things they need to do. I think you have to look at things as they develop but there’s no reason to raise taxes in the present based on what I’m seeing.

On development in the district.

I’m like everyone else. Know that if you drive to Turkey Creek you see a lot more choices of stores and restaurants than you do on this side of town, and I think the people over here deserve the same opportunities. Of course if the businesses are willing to come, we need to do everything we can to make Knoxville hospitable for businesses, so that we can grow the economy. I think downtown is a perfect example. Look at Market Square. You can’t get in a restaurant without a reservation sometimes. The movie theater was a big hit. We need to spread out from downtown and make the Broadway corridor, the Chapman High way corridor, Knoxville Center and all of Knoxville great.

On whether he will face criticism for holding public office for a long time

Well, I won the elections, I didn’t lose them, so I think there was some level of support from the people in the community. And I hope people will recognize that experience might be valuable I this coming period. And I’m offering myself to the voters and hopefully they will see it and elect me to the council.

On moving from a state-held elected office to the local level.

I don’t see the City Council as a demotion as any stretch – it’s important, it touches the residents of Knoxville in a big way. There were times in the state House delegation  . . . I was the only one who had an all-city district so I have a real understanding and appreciation for what the city does for the residents. There’s an opening here and I think experience might be helpful for this present time.

On being a Democrat.

When you go to Nashville you pick a party . . . . The City Council elections have historically been absolutely non-partisan and people don’t talk about it that much. It’s about the people – it’s about the neighborhoods, it’s about the community. I can serve and represent Republicans Democrats and independents.

Former state Rep. Tindell to run for Knoxville City Council seat in 2017

Harry Tindell

Former Knox County School Board member and long-time state Rep. Harry Tindell announced on Monday his intention to seek the 4^th District seat on the Knoxville City Council.

“I have lived most of my life on one side of Broadway or the other,” said the former 11-term Democrat, who opted not to seek re-election to the state House. “I have been honored to serve parts of central, north and east Knoxville in the past, and I will bring the experience and knowledge I have gained to the city council if elected.”

Nick Della Volpe, who currently represents the 4^th District, is term-limited. The seat is non-partisan.
Tindell, 56, is a life-long Knoxville resident and served on the Knox County School Board in 1986 to 1990 before heading over to the Tennessee General Assembly for 22 years.

The election in November will bring five new faces to the city council, and in 2019 the remaining four council seats and the Mayor will be replaced due to term limits.

“In recent years, we have made tremendous progress in the quality of life and the economic vitality of our community. It will be important to have new city council members with varied experience in this period of change,” said Tindell.

He added: “I look forward to making my case to the voters that I can bring the vision, knowledge and passion to the office that will build on our success and to continue moving Knoxville forward, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen our neighborhoods and communities.”

Tindell has spent time in the private sector as an employee benefits insurance broker and a state government relations consultant.

The non-partisan primary is set for late August.

Politics: Looking back at 2016

As 2016 comes to a close, 10News is taking a look back at the political scene.

It was definitely a year to remember, with historic elections, campaigns, and new leadership for our country.

The race for the White House started in 2015 with a large field of candidates vying for the Republican and Democratic nominations for president.

The huge crowd gathering at Donald Trump's Knoxville campaign stop in November 2015 was a sign of things to come in the following year.

Donald Trump ultimately won the electoral votes in Tennessee and across the country, allowing him to claim victory against Democrat Hillary Clinton for the presidency. Clinton won the popular vote by more than 2.5 million votes.

Related: Trump campaign bus stops in Knoxville

2016 marked a year of controversy and close campaigns for several state representatives from East Tennessee.

A heated argument that turned physical played out on News Talk 98.7 last summer between incumbent Republican state Rep. Martin Daniel of District 18 and primary opponent Steven Hall, both of Knoxville.

"Steve Hall stood up. Martin Daniel shoved him," host Hallerin Hilton Hill declared during the live broadcast.

Related: Daniel shoves Hall on live radio

The incident led to an assault charge for Daniel, who ended up winning the August primary as well as the general election in November.

Daniel still faces prosecution for the assault charge, and he has a March court date in Knox County.

Longtime state Rep. Joe Armstrong, a Knoxville Democrat from the 15th District, was convicted in federal court of filing a false tax return in connection with an alleged fraud conspiracy involving tax stamps for cigarettes.

Soon after his conviction, he filed his retirement from the Legislature, and Knox County Democrats voted Rick Staples in November as his replacement.

More: Armstrong retires

Staples said: "We really need economic growth in the 15th District, and it's important to move forward with that right now."

The race for state House District 13 heated up between two-time opponents Gloria Johnson and Eddie Smith.

The last time Republican Eddie Smith and Democrat Gloria Johnson faced off for a Knoxville state House seat, the decision came down to fewer than 200 votes. The election in November was even closer: 154 votes.

Smith declared victory on election night, and Johnson later conceded after provisional ballots were counted.

More: A closer look at Smith-Johnson race

Several new faces joined local politics on the Knox County Commission in 2016, and as the search for a Knox County Schools superintendent continues, the makeup of the Knox County Board of Education saw major changes, shifting the balance of power more toward members with direct experience as educators.

Knox County 2018 election rumors

Republican State Executive Committee member Ted Hatfield released his latest list of rumors and confirmations for the 2018 Knox County elections. (All are Republican.) I've included my brief thoughts as well.

Knox County Mayor

• Bob Thomas  - Current Commissioner-at-large
• Buddy Burkhardt  -  Knox County GOP chairman
• Brad Anders -  Knox County commissioner -  not yet confirmed

My thoughts:  Brad is pretty much a given. Also, Glen Jacobs, who wrestles for the WWE as Kane, also is rumored.

Knox County Circuit Court Clerk

• Tim Wheeler -  former deputy clerk
• Scott Smith -  SEC Member -  Insurance Executive
• Don Ridings -  Accounting Executive
• Charles Susano  -  Knox County trustee staff

My thoughts: Incumbent Cathy Shanks has said she is not seeking re-election. There have been rumors that Randy Kenner, who practically runs the place now, has been approached about the gig.

Knox County Clerk

• Sherry Witt -  current Register of Deeds

My thoughts: Incumbent Foster Arnett Jr is term-limited. Witt is pretty much a given to run for the post and win. She'd do a good job as clerk.

Knox County Register of Deeds

• Nick McBride  -  current Deputy Register of Deeds   -  not officially announced

My thoughts: This, too, is pretty much a given. Nick has spent a career in the office and could step in and run it right now if needed. 

Knox County Commissioner at-large seats (there are two)

• R. Larry Smith -  former Commissioner
• Justin Biggs -  Knox County Trustee's Office staff
• Larsen Jay -  Active Community Charities/ Organizations/  Entertainment Executive
• Ivan Harmon -  former City/ County executive

My thoughts: Incumbents Bob Thomas (who is running for county mayor) and Ed Brantley are not seeking re-election. It will be interesting to see whether voters want a couple of former commissioners to come back. Expect Larsen Jay to be a formidable opponent for anyone. 

Knox County Sheriff

• Lee Tramel  -  current KCSO deputy chief
• Tom Spangler  -  former KCSO deputy chief

My thoughts: Incumbent Jimmy "J.J." Jones is term-limited. If not, he'd probably win again. Lee knows that office as well as anyone and will make a smooth transition if he wins (which is expected).

Two voter fraud cases going to DA

Knox County’s election administrator says he’s identified two potential voter fraud cases from last week’s election.

Cliff Rodgers told 10News on Monday night he’s turning the cases over to Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen.

It’ll be up to Allen to see if she wants to press charges thru a grand jury.

"I leave it up to the DA as to what they want to do," he said. "When I see an apparent violation of the law, I'm not sitting on it. I consider it voting fraud."

In one case, Rodgers said, a woman admitted she’d voted when she was a convicted felon, which is against the law. The woman told Rodgers on the phone she'd been convicted of a felony more than 20 years ago, but didn't think that was relevant to her voting in 2016.

Under Tennessee law, however, it's relevant.

In another case, Rodgers said a man voted in Knox County even though he’s lived in Loudon County more than a year. The man's wife acknowledged they lived in Lenoir City; the husband, however, was in the voting booth casting his vote at the time.

Under state law, you are required to vote in your county of residency.

Rodgers did not disclose the names of the two voters.

Such potential violations are felonies in Rodgers' view. Rodgers said he's turned over other potential fraud cases, although he didn't recall having one come up in the August election.

"Any time I get them I turn them over," he said.

R. Larry to run for office again

R. Larry Smith

Former Knox County Commissioner R. Larry Smith on Monday will announce his "decision to run for an office in Knox County during the 2018 election cycle."

The announcement will come at 10 a.m. at the 640 North Building.

There's a lot of county offices that will be up in 2018 - mayor, sheriff, clerk, register of deeds, etc. - but I'm guessing he will seek an at-large commission seat.

Right now Bob Thomas and Ed Brantley hold the two at-large seats. But, Bob is running for county mayor and I'm hearing that Ed has no interest in seeking re-election. Further, word going around is that if Bob does win the mayoral post then Ed would be his chief-of-staff.

That would leave the two seats open.

Of course, I suppose R. Larry could run for mayor.

Not enough provisional ballots for Johnson to beat Smith for House seat

Johnson, left, and Smith, right

UPDATE: Tennessee state House candidate Gloria Johnson has conceded the race for the District 13 seat to Republican incumbent Eddie Smith.

"I'm very glad every vote was counted," she told WBIR 10News Monday afternoon. "I conceded earlier today and called Eddie Smith."

PREVIOUS: Statistically, it doesn’t appear that Gloria Johnson can beat Republican incumbent Eddie Smith to regain the 13
Election officials this morning began counting the provisional ballots that were cast in the race. Of the 597, only 86 came from voters in District 13.

Smith defeated Johnson during the Nov. 8 general election by 154 votes, according to the unofficial final returns. He led by 50.35 percent to her 49.65 percent.

Although the outcome of the election appears set, officials will continue to count the provisional ballots, which Cliff Rodgers, Knox County administrator of elections, said could take another week.

“We’re extremely pleased that we’re able to announce before lunch how many . . . provisional ballots were in that district,” he said. “This helps narrow the focus.”

Elections officials will still have to investigate whether the provisional ballots count. For example, was the voter really from the district and was the person actually registered to vote?

The difference in this year’s race was even closer than the last time they competed, when Smith won by less than 200 votes.

The two squared off in November 2014 when Johnson held the 13th District office and Smith challenged her. Smith ended up winning by less than 200 votes. More than 13,000 ballots were cast in that contest.

Some 22,000 ballots were cast on Nov. 8.

Knox officials to count provisional ballots beginning Monday morning

Smith, to left, and Johnson, on right

Knox County elections officials on Monday will begin counting and investigating the almost 600 provisional ballots cast countywide.

They’ll start at 9 a.m. at the Old Courthouse on Main Street.

From what I understand, they have to get the job completed in two weeks, and it’s going to possibly take two weeks to do it.

They’ll first weed out the ballots cast in the 13^th District state house race, in which incumbent Eddie Smith, a Republican, edged Democrat challengers Gloria Johnson by 154 votes.

Then they’ll have to investigate whether the votes should count. (i.e. were the people registered to vote, blah, blah, etc.)

Johnson, who acknowledges that her chances of winning are slim, said she wants everyone to know that every vote counts.

The county’s election commission will certify the election on Nov. 28.

Presidential write-ins skyrocket in 2016; names serious and silly

The 2016 presidential election could go down as "the year of the write-in vote" in Tennessee.  The names submitted include the serious, bizarre, and silly.

In Knox County a total of 3,837 voters wrote in a name for president, more than seven times the amount submitted in the 2012 presidential election when 528 voters wrote-in a candidate.

Even Governor Bill Haslam was so dissatisfied with the major parties' presidential nominees, he wrote-in a candidate Tuesday rather than vote for fellow Republican Donald Trump.

Haslam declined to say who he picked, but jokingly conceded “my person did not win.”

So, who did Haslam vote for?

Maybe the governor voted for science fiction's Buck Roger.

Perhaps Haslam could have cast one of the five votes for "Giant Meteor."

Or did his vote go to Dolly Parton?  She received three write-in votes, but we know she's not interested in the gig.  Parton tweeted on election day, "I've been told a few times I should run for President, but I think there are enough boobs in the race already."

The governor himself was a popular write-in candidate in Knox County, with various spellings of his name garnering a total of 123 votes.

Those are just a handful of the 758 unique names Knox County voters took the time to write in as presidential candidates on Tuesday’s ballot, according to an 18-page list that local election officials provided to WBIR 10News.

FULL LIST: The list of write-in candidates submitted in all of Tuesday's races

The catch?  Almost none of them counted.  Write-in candidates must be certified prior to the election to be eligible for Tennessee's 11 electoral college votes.

There were only eight certified write-in candidates, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office:  Darrell L. Castle, Cherunda Fox, Tom Hoefling, Kyle Kenley Kopitke, Laurence Kotlikoff, David Limbaugh, Evan McMullin, and Marshall Schoenke.

Castle got about 120 votes; Hoefling got around a dozen; Kotlikoff neared 10; Limbaugh got three; and Fox, Schoenke and Kopitke received nada.

McMullin pulled in more than 1,300 votes, making the former CIA operations officer and independent candidate from Utah the big write-in vote winner.  But he still lost.

Zombie-buster Rick Grimes has routinely received write-in votes in recent years, earning him the same obligatory status as other candidates who almost always make the list:  Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck, Goofy, Snoopy, Peyton Manning, and Chuck Norris.

Former professional wrestler Ric Flair received three votes from people who apparently wanted to "Make America Woo Again."  If only Flair could have gotten one more vote, he would have had the figure-four.

As usual, there were many names just too lewd, crude, and rude for online news and television broadcast.

There were also names of television broadcasters.  Some folks kindly wrote in votes for WBIR 10News reporter Mike Donila and anchor Russell Biven.

The write-in list goes on and on, ranging from historical figures, cartoon characters, to burnt toast.

The bottom line is thousands of people wanted a candidate other than Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.  Well, except for one voter who wrote in "Hillary and Trump."

The next local election – it’s a city primary contest only – isn’t until August 2017.

Expect the fun to continue then.

Johnson seeks ballot info in tight state House race against Smith

Tennessee State House candidate Gloria Johnson has sued to get information about provisional ballots still being counted from Tuesday’s election in Knox County.

The Knoxville Democrat is seeking through an injunction in Knox County Chancery Court to get the names and addresses of those who filed provisional ballots from elections administrator Cliff Rodgers. Attorney John Eldridge filed the paperwork Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson seeks to notify the 597 people who filed provisional ballots that they have until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to submit proper identification to ensure their ballots are valid.

The ballots are the last  that need to be counted – and Johnson argues they’re key to her 13^th District  race.

Republican incumbent Eddie Smith beat Johnson by 154 votes in early and election-day returns.

The only thing left to count are the provisional ballots, which include submitted forms from voters who may have lacked proper ID while voting Tuesday.

Election officials say it could be days before the provisional ballots are finalized.

That free doughnut you got with your ‘I voted' sticker was illegal

Your favorite restaurant may have technically broke the law.

From Krispy Kremes, to Chuck E. Cheese, BurgerFi, Firehouse Subs and others you can score delicious freebies by proudly displaying your "I Voted" sticker on Election Day.

But those stickers really shouldn't be able to get you anything for free. Those deals are breaking federal election law -- regardless if the intent is to encourage civic engagement or not.

“The basic line on this is in an election where a federal candidate is on the ballot, you cannot give anyone any reward -- anything of any value -- for turning out to vote,” said Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at the University of California, Irvine told the New York Times. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a civic pride thing or if it’s not about any one candidate.”

So how can these big companies and restaurants continue to offer deals every four years?

Hasen told the newspaper that companies are rarely, if ever, penalized for it.

Election Day sees record Knox turnout

Tuesday capped what has proved to be a record turnout in Knox County elections, according to county election officials.

At least 190,000 voters cast ballots - and that number could top 200,000 before all votes are counted, according to officials.

Few problems were reported Tuesday. Early voting, which ended last week, saw some 135,000 people cast votes in Knox County. Another 6,000 or so absentee and paper military ballots must be counted as well, a task that's expected to continue until at least midnight Tuesday.

Election Commission board member Bob Bowman said Tuesday was "probably the smoothest we've ever had."

It helped that so many people cast early ballots, he said.

Bowman credited the county's 725 election workers who helped at polling places Tuesday.

"A vast majority of the returns should be in by 10:30, but the absentee and military ballots will take until about midnight"

Tuesday marked the end of a long and contentious road to the White House for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. In addition to the presidential race, there are a number of important local and state issues on the ballot across East Tennessee.

In most counties, the polls were open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for those in the central time zone, where the polls closed at 7 p.m. You can check with your local election commission to confirm the hours where you live. You will be able to find election results here.

Smith declares victory, Johnson won't concede in tight state House race

Johnson, left, and Smith, right

With all Knox County precinct returns counted, state Rep. Eddie Smith led Democratic challenger Gloria Johnson by 154 votes, unofficial final returns showed.

With more than 22,000 total votes counted, Smith led by 50.35 percent to Johnson's 49.65 percent, according to Knox County Election Commission returns.

The difference in the race was even closer than the last time they competed, when Smith won by less than 200 votes.

But returns from neither provisional ballots nor absentee ballots have been released. Absentee ballots were to be counted by 11:30 p.m. or midnight Tuesday. And provisional ballots may not be known until Wednesday.

"We know this much so far," Smith said Tuesday night at GOP headquarters at the Crowne Plaza. "We won early voting and we know we won election day, and I know this, we have great people at the election commission who are working extremely hard."

Trump wins presidential election after winning Tennessee, Knox Co.

Republican Donald Trump has  been elected the 45th President of the United States after taking the red state of Tennessee, and has scored more than half the vote over Democrat challenger Hillary Clinton in Knox County after almost all precincts have reported.

With early voting results tallied, the Manhattan billionaire has secured about 59 percent of the vote among Knox County residents with the former Secretary of State receiving about roughly 35.5 percent.

So far that amounts to 98,463 early votes for Trump from Knox County voters and 58,581 for Clinton.

Tennessee has voted for the Republican presidential candidate since 2000.

"It's impossible for him to lose in Tennessee and Knox County," said Dennis Francis, a Democrat, former member of the Knox County Election Commission and a local political commentator. "The only person who could beat him is Peyton Manning. I'm just trying to be realistic about it."

TRADITIONAL GOP SUCCESS IN STATE, COUNTY

In 2012, Republican challenger Mitt Romney easily defeated President Barack Obama in Knox County with 63.60 percent of the vote to Obama’s 34.4 percent. That amounted to 109,707 votes to 59,399.

Statewide, Romney defeated Obama with 59 percent of the vote.

Four years prior – in 2008 – Sen. John McCain beat then-Sen. Obama 60.73 percent to 37.73 percent. The vote count amounted to 112,999 for McCain and 70,203 for Obama in Knox County.

Statewide, McCain won with 57 percent of the vote.

Even Tennessee school students this year picked Trump over Clinton.

In the first-ever statewide student mock election, Trump received 53.1 percent of the votes compared to Clinton’s 34.3 percent, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Roughly 166,000 students from 479 Tennessee schools participated. That included students in preschool through high school took part from public and private schools, along with home school associations across the state.

Alice Cooper says: Get out and vote!

Election rules about identification

If you're heading out to vote in the Tuesday election, you'll need to make sure you have an appropriate ID with you.

Following changes to Tennessee voter ID laws back in 2013 to prevent fraud, people are required to bring a photo ID with them to vote.

There are several accepted forms of ID, including drivers licenses, U.S. passports, military and government IDs, and handgun permits with pictures.

Student ID cards from state universities are not acceptable, and the law applies only to those voting in polling places.

For people without photo IDs that wish to vote, it's not too late. The State Department of Homeland Security has a quick same-day method to get one free of charge.

All you need to do is visit one of the driver service centers across the state to obtain one. People must be able to prove U.S. citizenship by providing their birth certificate or social security card, plus provide two proofs of Tennessee residency such as recently postmarked bills or a bank statement.

If you have a government-issued license that isn't a photo ID, then all you need to do is convert that to a photo license at a driver service center.

The nearest driver service center to Knoxville is just off I-40 at the Strawberry Plains Pike exit 398 at 7320 Region Lane.

In Maryville, the driver services center is located off the West Lamar Alexander Parkway at 318 Home Avenue. In Oak Ridge, residents can head to the center at 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike.