Tipton County voters head to the polls Thursday for a ballot that combines the state primary with the full county general election. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

1. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday

Early voting wrapped up Aug. 1, so Thursday, Aug. 6 is the last chance to cast a ballot in person. Vote at your assigned precinct — not necessarily the early voting sites you may have used.

2. Turnout is already unusually high

More than 6,875 people voted early — a number that had already topped the county’s entire May primary turnout before early voting even closed.

3. The local headline race: TN House District 81

The Republican primary pits Jason Fleming against Brett Giannini to replace Rep. Debra Moody. Read more about these two candidates on our Vote Tipton Interactive Voters Guide – take our blind candidate quiz to see who aligns best with your positions.

This state primary will decide the Republican nominee not only for House District 81, but will also decide party nominees for governor and congressional seats in the newly-redrawn districts.

Tipton County is divided into the 5th and 8th congressional districts, so this means voters will choose between Republicans Andy Ogles or Charlie Hatcher or Democrats Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Tipton County’s Devante Hill, Rachel Hurley and Chaz Molder for the 5th. David Kustoff is running unopposed in District 9.

4. Other contested races on the ballot

• Circuit Court Clerk: Connie Fayne vs. Shane Waits
• Register of Deeds: Trena C. Jones vs. Stephanie A. Presley
• County Commission: races in District 2, 3, 7, and 9 have competition
• Democratic State Executive Committeewoman (Dist. 32): Georgia Dawson of Tipton County vs. Regina Nash of Lauderdale County

Countywide offices including county executive, county trustee, sheriff and county clerk are also on the ballot. Pull up a personalized sample ballot for your address through GoVoteTN.org.

5. Bring a photo ID

Tennessee requires a photo ID to vote. Acceptable forms include a Tennessee driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID, a Tennessee handgun carry permit, or another federal or state government-issued photo ID — all valid even if expired. College student IDs and out-of-state or out-of-city photo IDs do not count.

A few voters are exempt: those voting absentee by mail, nursing home or assisted living residents voting on-site, hospitalized voters, voters with a religious objection to being photographed, and voters who can’t afford to obtain an ID. Anyone without an acceptable ID can look into a free one through the Tennessee Department of Safety.

6. Where to get help

• Find your polling location
• Get your personalized sample ballot (GoVoteTN)
• Check district and precinct maps
• Look up your registration status (TNMap)
• Paper Folds’ full voter guide — candidate Q&As, a blind candidate matching quiz, and District 81 campaign finance details — is at paperfoldsnews.com/votetipton

7. Follow results Thursday night

Paper Folds News will post live updates on returns as they come in on Facebook. Make sure you stay tuned!