NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)-Early voting in Tennessee got off to a record start, the state's top election official said Thursday.

About 47 percent more people cast their ballots on the first day of early voting Wednesday than in the last presidential election year in 2004, according to data released by State Election Coordinator Brook Thompson.

In Memphis, 18,238 people voted early. Early voting totals didn't reach the same level until the fifth day of early voting there in 2004.

Opening day crowds in Nashville more than doubled Nashville's previous first-day voting record of about 8,000, set in 2004.

A heavy early turnout in the state's two largest cities was seen by political observers as favoring Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain in the presidential election, though polls have shown McCain with a sizable lead.

A total of 108,573 people voted Wednesday, up from 73,889 on the first day of early voting in 2004. Voting activity usually peaks toward the end of the two-week early voting period.

In the last presidential election, 2.4 million Tennessee residents voted and 1.4 million of them voted early. Thompson said as many as half the ballots in the state could be cast before Election Day on Nov. 4.

Knox County elections administrator Greg Mackay told the Knoxville News-Sentinel the general election is likely to produce a record voter turnout. More than 21,500 new voters enrolled in Knox County, but Wednesday's turnout of 5,890 was 721 fewer than in 2004.
Hamilton County also saw a decrease of 589 voters compared with last presidential election.

The Tennessean quoted Davidson County Election Administrator Ray Barrett saying 49,000 new voters registered in time to cast ballots.

In Tennessee's northeast corner, 1,370 Washington County voters cast ballots Wednesday, 130 more than in 2004.

The Johnson City Press-Chronicle quoted county elections administrator Connie Sinks saying the initial numbers bolster her belief that the turnout for the entire election will set a new record.