KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Early voting began Wednesday for Knoxville's Regular City Council Election.

Some voters call the city's election process confusing.

It's not because of picking a candidate; instead, it's knowing when voters can vote for them.

Term limits have kicked all the incumbents off the ballot, and five of the city's district seats are up for election.

Steve Abels walked into the Downtown West Shopping Center voting location as a serious citizen.

"Voting is very important to us," Abels said. "My parents were refugees from Germany. They came over in the 1930s, and they always taught us how important it was to vote."

Beliefs that's also gave Abels an firm understanding of the City of Knoxville's voting process. Other voters aren't as clear.

"It hasn't all got straightened out yet," regular voter Bill Fluery said.

"It's probably ignorance on my part. I should probably know," regular voter John O'Connor said.

City voters can only cast a ballot for their district during the primary.

However, unlike Knox County elections, in the regular city election they can vote for every district.

"It's a confusing situation," Election Commission Administrator Greg Mackay said. "I'm not sure why we do it that way. But that's what the city charter says and that's they way we do it."

But Mackay says the process could serve the city as a whole.

"I think the argument would be, they're going to represent everybody; so, everybody should have the opportunity to vote for them," Mackay said.

Some registered voters may be confused but even more don't show up at all.

Records show only about four percent of registered city voters cast a ballot in September's primary.

Mackay says that's an improvement over past years.

"Actually turnout was up about eight and half percent from four years ago," Mackay said. "I don't understand why people don't vote in city elections. The numbers speak for themselves."

Abels made sure his vote spoke for him.

"These are the people who make the decisions that determine the future of our community," Abels said.

City voters can cast an early ballot from October 14 through October 29th.

The polls are open from 10:00am until 2:00 pm through October 22nd.

The city's five voting locations will have extended hours til 7:00pm from the October 23rd through October 29th.

If you're registered to vote in the city, you can vote any location.

Election Day is November 3rd.

For more information on the candidates and early voting click the link below.

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