Voting Info
Everything you need to be informed about Tennessee's county elections, from your rights as a voter to important deadlines to make sure your voice — and vote — counts.
Tennessee holds county elections every two years to fill the local offices that most directly affect daily life — from Mayor, to County Commission, to the School Board. These are the positions that control how your tax dollars are spent, what your children experience in school, and how your community is governed. Unlike federal elections held in November, Tennessee county elections run on their own calendar, with a primary in May and a general election in August.
April 6
Registration Deadline
Get Registered
Tennessee requires voters to be registered at least 30 days before any election. You can register online, by mail, or in person. If you already registered for a previous election, you may still need to update your information — a change of address, a name change, or even moving within the same county can affect your eligibility. You can check your current registration status and update it at the same place you register.
Register or check your status at GoVoteTN →Hamilton County Election Commission →
May 5
Primary
Aug 6
General Election
Know Your Ballot
Tennessee county elections happen in two stages. The primary narrows the field — voters choose between candidates within a party, and the winners advance to the general election where the final vote decides who takes office. Tennessee does not require you to register with a party. You choose which party's ballot to vote when you check in at the polls.
Your May 5 primary ballot will include School Board, County Mayor, County Commission, County Sheriff, and other county offices. Hamilton County school board races have been partisan since 2021, meaning candidates run under party labels. You can preview every race on your specific ballot at GoVoteTN.
If you are unable to vote in person, Tennessee allows absentee voting by mail for specific reasons, including being outside your county during the voting period, being 60 or older, or illness or disability. Requests must be received by April 25 for the primary.
Find out what district you live in →Apply for an absentee ballot →
Apr 15–30
Early Voting
May 5
Primary Election Day
Jul 17–Aug 1
Early Voting
Aug 6
General Election
Show Up
Tennessee offers early voting before every election — no special reason needed. For the May primary, early voting runs April 15 through April 30, giving you two full weeks to cast your ballot at a time that works for you. Early voting locations and hours may differ from Election Day polling places, so check ahead of time.
On May 5, polls across Hamilton County are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tennessee requires a valid photo ID to vote — a Tennessee driver's license, U.S. passport, or other government-issued photo ID.
For the general election on August 6, early voting runs July 17 through August 1, with a registration deadline of July 7.
Find your polling and early voting locations →Did You Know
Tennessee employers are required by law to provide employees up to three hours of paid leave to vote. The request must be submitted to your employer by noon the day before the election. The employer may designate which hours the leave is taken, but cannot deny the time.
Learn more about your right to time off →