Early Voting Turnout Remains Low Ahead of March 3 Primary Election in Pike, Hempstead and Howard Counties

Early voting for the primary election will conclude Monday, March 2, with county clerks in Pike County and Hempstead County reporting relatively low turnout so far.

Both counties feature several contested races, including county judge and sheriff. In Pike County, voters will also decide the race for 9th West District Prosecuting Attorney.

Pike County Clerk Randee Edwards said turnout has fluctuated in recent election cycles. Approximately 40 percent of registered voters participated in the 2022 election, compared with 21 percent in 2024. Early voting numbers reflect a similar pattern. In 2022, 1,130 voters cast ballots early. That number declined to 526 in the 2024 primary. As of Tuesday, March 24, a total of 689 early votes had been cast in Pike County.

In Hempstead County, 918 early ballots had been cast as of the latest report.

Election Day is Tuesday, March 3.

In Pike County, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Murfreesboro Municipal Building, Delight Cafeteria, Bethlehem Baptist Center in Kirby, and the Bainum Learning Center in Glenwood.

Hempstead County voters may cast ballots at the Hope Community Center, Word of Faith Church in Blevins, McCaskill Community Center, Bingen Community Center, Cross Roads Volunteer Fire Department, Fulton Library, Ozan Volunteer Fire Department, Patmos Volunteer Fire Department, Saratoga School Annex Building, Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department, and the Washington Fire Station.

In Howard County, voters can cast ballots at the Carter Day Center in Nashville, the Dierks Community Building, Mineral Springs Methodist Church, and the Umpire Fire Department.