Posted: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 1:36 pm

Rutherford County’s record number of registered voters will join record numbers across the nation today as the long-awaited Nov. 4 presidential Election Day finally arrives.

Not only will voters go to the polls to cast ballots for the next president, they will also vote for the next state senator and representative.

And in the cases of Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville voters will decide who will guide their respective cities in the coming years.

Polls opened in Rutherford County at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. at 48 voting precincts across the county. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

With 144,000 residents registered to vote, a huge increase over four years ago, early voting is expected to keep voting lines reasonable as some 69,000 voters, or 48 percent, have already cast ballots.

Returns will begin to be tabulated as soon as polls close. Early voting results have almost always predicted the final results in county elections.

In addition to the presidential election, county voters, depending upon residency, will also vote on the following:

Voters in the 48th House of Representatives District will decide whether Republican Joe Carr or Democrat Tim Tipps will represent the district in the seat John Hood held for six terms.

The 34th House District will decide between incumbent Republican Rep. Donna Rowland and challenger Democrat Dr. Rishi Saxena.

Voters in the 49th House District will cast ballots for Republican Rick Womick or the Democratic incumbent Rep. Kent Coleman.

For the State Senate, voters in the 16th District will decide between Democratic nominee Jean Ann Rogers or incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Tracy.

Eagleville will also vote for the next member of the State House of Representatives from 62nd District. Incumbent Rep. Curt Cobb will take on Republican nominee Barbara Blanton.

Rep. Bart Gordon is running for his 13th term as the representative from the 6th Congressional District against independent candidate Chris Baker.

Voters will also choose between incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Democratic candidate Robert “Bob” Tuke and a host of independent candidates.