In the first few hours of early voting Friday, 165 people came to the polls at Hamilton County’s three voting locations, election officials said.

That sort of turnout — “a trickle,” according to Chief Deputy Elections Administrator Charlotte Mullis-Morgan — is what election officials are expecting for the Aug. 7 state primary and county general elections.

“It’s going to be low for this election,” Ms. Mullis-Morgan said. “We don’t have a big turnout in the August state primaries.”

Ms. Mullis-Morgan said officials were expecting about 16,000 to 18,000 voters, or about 9 percent to 10 percent of the county’s 184,792 eligible voters, to turn out in the election.

Voters coming to the polls will see a special election for Hamilton County sheriff and primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. House. In four districts, voters also will cast ballots in Hamilton County Board of Education races, three of which are contested.

Tennessee Senate and House primaries are also on the ballot. State Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, is facing a challenge from former Rep. Jim Vincent, R-Soddy-Daisy.

Connie Weathers, chairwoman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, said officials have sent out reminders and held events to remind voters of the start of early voting.

“I am not really surprised that it was light (Friday),” she said. “I am confident that things will pick up as early voting continues through Aug. 2.”

John Bailes, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, said local Democrats are spending $5,000 to $10,000 to get out the vote.

“We are making a big push for people to come out early,” he said.

Local Democrats are canvassing neighborhoods and offering rides to take people to the polls, Mr. Bailes said. He said he hoped such efforts would create momentum for the Nov. 4 presidential, federal and state elections.

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