More people voted early in Rutherford County this year than in 2016.

There were 23,011 early votes cast here in the county this year. That's nearly double the 11,598 that voted early in 2016.

The numbers from the Tennessee Secretary of State's office shows 15,241 Republican ballots were casts to 9,425 Democratic. They represent in-person early voters, absentee by mail ballots and voters at licensed facilities.

This year does include several local contested county and Murfreesboro city council races plus a highly contested U.S. Senate race, which could account for the increase in early voter turnout.

Election day is Thursday and count on WGNS to bring you full election coverage on-air and online at WGNSRadio.com.