The Brown County Elections Office reported a total of 178 ballots  – 171 Republican and 7 Democrat – cast Tuesday on the first day for early voting in the March 5 primary election.

Early voting hours at the Elections Office, located at 613 N. Fisk, continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 23; from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 through Friday March 1.

Local contested races include Precinct 1 County Commissioner between Gary Worley and Kirk Chastain; Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 between Scotty Burke, Mitchell Jacobson and Dustin Larremore; and Precinct 3 County Commissioner between Wayne Shaw, Jeff Primrose, Pat McLaughlin, David ‘Doc’ Reid and Pat Drew.

There are also 13 propositions included on Republican Primary ballots.