Early voting for the congressional mid-term and gubernatorial elections began several days ago, and November elections not far behind, yet neither party is ready to call their efforts finished just yet.

Johnny Holder, chair of the Carter County Republican Party, said Republicans will continue to push forward.

“We have been putting out signs and continuing to make personal contacts,” Holder said.

Republicans hosted both Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn and gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee in Carter County over the past few weeks.

Carter County Democrats are not letting off the heat, either, hosting a meeting with three other counties just last week. Kristi Carr, chair of the Carter County Democrats, said they are “determined” to keep campaigning.

“We have been canvassing, raising funds, and getting info to the public,” Carr said.

For the Senatorial race in Tennessee, a recent Vanderbilt poll put Phil Bredesen ahead of Marsha Blackburn by a mere 1 percent.

“I think this is great,” said Carr. “I think he has a great chance.”

Holder said the poll’s close margin does not spell their defeat just yet.

“A lot of those polls depend on who you pull,” Holder said. “I think we are doing well here.”

Both parties have made efforts to encourage voter registration ahead of the official elections, with recent statistics from the Washington Post listing Tennessee with one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country.

“They need to go vote,” Carr said.

In terms of the candidates themselves, both parties expressed confidence in their stances on party-line topics.

“We like where our candidates stand,” Holder said. “They are all really great people.”

Specifically, Carr and Holder said their parties have focused on different topics.

Holder said “abortion looms big,” and he said their candidates are pro second amendment.

Carr spoke about the party’s focus on the economy and the environment.

“We are very concerned about the environment, and very concerned about the economy,” she said.

Carr said she was impressed with the number of people becoming involved in the political conversation in the county.

“This is the most active we have been in a long time,” Carr said. “There are more Democrats here than you would think.”

Holder said he has been impressed with the veteran turn-out so far.

“It is an honor to see our veterans getting involved,” he said.

As November 6 approaches, both parties said voting is important and necessary for their success.

“A lot of people sacrificed their lives for this right,” Holder said. “Get out and vote.”