A record number of voters showed up to cast their ballots early this year, shattering past numbers ahead of the March 1 primary.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett along with Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins held a news conference about the milestone Wednesday afternoon.
The new record is 385,653 Tennesseans. That shattered the record that was set in 2008 of 329,154 voters.
3,461 people voted in Coffee County with 2,588 voting Republican and 873 casting ballots for Democrats. The busiest day was the last day of early voting. On Tuesday (February, 23) 806 Coffee Countians voted.
This Tuesday, March 1 is primary day for president and county elections.

The Tennessee Senate this week passed a resolution that directs the state attorney general to sue the federal government over policies surrounding refugee resettlement. Specifically, the resolution alleges the federal government failed to consult with the state on the issue, while mandating the use of state funds. Eben Cathey, advocacy director for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said the resolution, if passed, sends the wrong message to our national and international neighbors. “This bill embarrasses Tennessee and makes us seem like an unwelcoming place for people who are fleeing violence and persecution,” he said. “This is the most extreme piece of anti-refugee legislation in the nation right now.” The measure now will be taken up by the state House. If passed and the state attorney general declines to file suit, the resolution authorizes the use of state funds to hire independent counsel. Supporters of the resolution say it comes down to the constitutional issue of states’ rights. Immigrant and refugee advocates point to the thorough and lengthy vetting process before individuals are granted access to the United States. Beyond the message the resolution would send to the global community, said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the idea that individual states can influence immigration and global policy is out of bounds. “No state has veto power over refugee resettlement,” she said. “Refugee resettlement sits within the purview of the federal government. This conversation that’s taking place and this effort to say we are going to file a lawsuit to shut down refugee resettlement is just moving in the wrong direction.” Cathey said it’s important to remember that the people fleeing Syria and other places fear the same people and ideas that most Americans do. “I think that’s terribly dangerous for Tennessee,” he said. “This resolution threatens our national and international reputation as a place that is welcoming of refugees. There’s no doubt that in the midst of a global humanitarian crisis where many people are fleeing violence and persecution, this is going to leave a black mark on Tennessee’s reputation. “Both Cathey and Weinberg pointed to Tennessee’s long history of providing a safe haven for refugees. The world’s largest Kurdish population outside of the Kurdistan region resides in Nashville.

A new proposal at the Tennessee state capitol would require phone calls on the road to be hands-free.
The bill would fine drivers 50 dollars for talking on the phone without a hands-free device, unless it is an emergency.
Triple A reports that 23,000 crashes in 2015 involved a cell phone or electronic device.
The group blamed fifty-one deaths on electronic distractions.
If passed, the law would take effect January 2017.

While Tennessee lawmakers last year decided to not make the Holy Bible the official state book, they have chosen to designate an official state rifle.
The Rutherford County-made .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle now takes its place alongside state symbols like the tomato as Tennessee’s official fruit and the square dance as the state folk dance.
Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville cast the lone vote against the resolution on Wednesday, arguing the state shouldn’t make a state endorsement of a private company.
He said lawmakers wouldn’t want to choose between other Tennessee-made products like Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel as the official whiskey, or Goo Goo Clusters and MoonPies as the state dessert.
The House voted 74-9 to pass the resolution.