MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - According to the Shelby County Election Commission, 600 people took advantage of early voting on the first two days, but the polls at early voting sites opened across Shelby County Monday. Residents in the suburbs are voting on whether to start their own school systems.
"I think it's imperative for the survival of the community," said Bartlett resident Lloyd Cornmesser. "This is one of the most important things on the ballot in my opinion."
That's why he was surprised when he found out that the school referendum was not on the ballot. "I don't get heated up over many things but this has got me very heated." Cornmesser said, "We were told if it wasn't on your ballot you didn't get to vote on it because not all Bartlett residents got to vote on the ballot."
Bartlett resident Jennifer Thompson did get to vote on it. "It's very important to be able to have a say so and to have ownership in our own school system," she said.
Germantown resident Walter Howard feels the same way. "We feel very strongly about public education," he said, "Let's vote on it and see what happens."
Early voting ends July 28th. Election Day is August 2nd.
