By Erik Schelzig
Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WHBQ FOX13 myfoxmemphis.com) —

More than 1.55 million voters cast ballots in Tennessee’s two-week early voting period, a 38 percent increase on the previous record set in 2004.

A total of more than 423,000 more voters took advantage of early voting this year compared with the last presidential election. Election Day is Tuesday.

Shelby County saw the largest turnout for early voting. The more than 254,000 who voted there more than doubled the turnout of 2004.

The largest increase in early voter turnout was in Middle Tennessee, where nearly 176,000 more voters turned out than in2004, a 39 percent jump.

West Tennessee saw a 135,500 increase in early voter turnout, a51 percent increase over 2004. East Tennessee’s increase was about 112,000 more people, or 27 percent.