NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – About half of the people who vote this election cycle are expected to go to the polls on Tuesday, according to the Davidson County Elections Office.

Administrator Jeff Roberts says early voting versus Election Day turnout can vary, but typically between 40 and 60 percent of voters cast their ballots early.

And hundreds of thousands of registered voters in Nashville have yet to vote.

That’s why Mayor Freddie O’Connell is making a last-ditch effort to try to get his comprehensive Choose How You Move transportation plan approved.

While you may see some “anti-traffic tax” signs around the city, there is no large organized push against the transit referendum like Nashville saw in 2018.

Then a plan to increase the sales tax by one percent and put five light rail lines throughout the city. failed by a huge margin of 64-36.

This time, many early voters told us they voted in favor of the plan.

Here’s what we heard from the folks at Bellevue:

“I voted for it,” said Lori Ost, whose main factor was the additional sidewalks.

“I read about this and I really think it’s a good thing for the city,” said Brody Loewl, who wants a better bus system.

Jerome Whaley also voted for it.

“I’ve been to Europe,” he said. “So I know there’s something better (than what we have).”

“Traffic is going to get worse with all the people moving here,” said Sam Gross, who said he probably wouldn’t ride the bus but thinks it’s important for Nashville to have better bus service.

And this is what we heard in Bordeaux:

“I think it’s a pretty good idea,” said Darwin Jackson, who specifically highlighted the 24-hour bus service.

Local pastor and former council member Jerry Maynard was at the precinct, encouraging church members to vote yes.

“The cost of living here in Davidson County is extremely high,” he said. “But if you think about it, if you can have an alternative transportation route, you can save on gasoline, you can save on wear and tear on your car, you can save on pollution.”

Mary Drew also voted in favor of the plan, but says since the cost of everything is rising, she thinks there will be a tax increase either way.

“Whether it’s an investment is a tough question,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell acknowledged.

He knows that asking voters to greenlight a tax increase is no walk in the park. And he says that even without a big anti-traffic push, his plan still faces a big hurdle.

“Someone could read it (the ballot measure) and not really consider the benefit, just the cost.”

And he is right. It’s a cost some voters don’t want to pay.

“I love the idea, but the cost was really high,” said Caleb Betczynski, who says he prefers Metro pay for the improvements with the revenue it already has.

Jonathan Leonard agreed, saying he didn’t know enough about the plan to want to raise taxes.

“I didn’t want to spend a lot of money that was there on something, without me knowing anything about it,” he said.

And some who know the plan well are now speaking out against it, like District 1 Council member Joy Kimbrough.

She says her district isn’t seeing as many changes to the plan as others.

“Based on that (online) map you can see with your own eyes – I don’t even want to say the benefit – the lack of benefit to this community. A community that is already aggrieved, already ignored,” he said. talking about Bordeaux and its surroundings.

When asked about the Council member’s concerns, Mayor O’Connell called his position “surprising and disappointing at the same time.”

“She supported it on Council and did not raise any of these concerns then. Our team met with her and went over the changes and she seemed to approve of them,” he said.

He points to Nashville’s new North Transit Center and the recent smart lights installed on Clarksville Pike, which turn green when they see a car approaching. He says both serve as examples of improvements for North Nashville that are headed to the rest of Metro.

“The whole system will move all traffic more efficiently,” he said. “We believe the city as a whole will benefit greatly from this, and this will allow us to prepare for a much better future with a more connected Nashville.”

And on Tuesday, voters will decide if they think it’s worth the cost.

If you want to see details about how the plan would change options in your neighborhood, you can check out a interactive map.

The Choose How you Move plan requires $3.1 billion and promises 86 miles of new sidewalks in the first 15 years, along with a dozen new transit centers, new cross-town bus routes, 24-hour bus service, 17 park and ride spots and nearly 600 traffic lights upgraded to a smart, connected network.

“This allows us to get out of the capital operating process year after year,” said Mayor O’Connell, “and secures over $100 million per year. Most of that will be paid for by out-of-county residents or visitors.”

The cost is a half-percent increase in sales tax, which would change Nashville’s combined state and local sales tax from 9.25 percent to 9.75 percent.

Surrounding counties paying 9.75 percent include Dickson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties.

Road trip to see some of our neighbors’ best Halloween decorations

This year, Americans are expected to spend about $12 billion on candy, costumes and decorations. In recent years, it seems like a lot more people are putting in the effort to decorate their homes. Forrest Sanders had the opportunity to visit several communities in the center of the state to see some of those Halloween decorations.

-Lelan Statom