The deadline to register to vote in Tennessee in the Nov. 3 election is coming up fast. Voters will choose the next set of state and federal leaders, including the next governor of Tennessee.
Tennessee requires voters to register at least 30 days ahead of an election. For the Nov. 3 midterm elections, the registration deadline is Oct. 5.
Here's a look at important dates and processes to know for the election. Make your voice heard.
When is the next election?
The midterm elections are Nov. 3 across the country.
How to register to vote in Tennessee
Get started at ovr.govote.tn.gov. You must be at least 18.
If you'd like to do it by mail in Knox County, start at knoxcounty.org/election and navigate to the form. Mail it to Knox County Election Commission, P.O. Box 51530, Knoxville, TN 37950.
If you want to register
to vote in person, go to the Knox County Election Commission in the Old Courthouse, 300 W. Main Ave. in Knoxville.
What is the Tennessee deadline to register to vote?
For the Nov. 3 elections, it's Oct. 5.
Can I get an absentee ballot?
It depends. You must meet one of the requirements:
- You are age 60 or older
- You will be out of the county on Election Day
- You are hospitalized, ill or disabled, or you are the caretaker of someone who is hospitalized or disabled
- You or your spouse attend college full-time outside the county
- You live in a nursing home or assisted living facility outside your home county
- You are a candidate for an office in the election
- You are observing a religious holiday
- You are an election official
- You are on jury duty
- You have a disability and your polling place is in accessible
- You or your spouse have a commercial driver's license and will be working outside the county
- You are a member of the military
- You live overseas
- You are on the permanent absentee list (requires a doctor's statement)
If you meet the qualifications, you can request an absentee ballot from the Knox County election administrator's office at 865-215-2480 or absenteeballot@knoxcounty.org.
What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?
Oct. 24, but you should do it earlier than that to be safe.
When does early voting start?
Early voting is Oct. 14-29.
Where is Knox County early voting?
- Carter Senior Center, 9040 Asheville Highway
- City-County Building, Small Assembly Room, 400 Main St.
- Downtown West, 1645 Downtown West Blvd., Unit 40
- Faithway Missionary Baptist Church, 4402 Crippen Road
- Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd., Farragut
- Gibbs Ruritan Club, 7827 Tazewell Pike, Corryton
- Karns Senior Center, 8042 Oak Ridge Highway
- Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway
- Meridian Baptist Church, 6513 Chapman Highway
- New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane
- Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
When is Knox County early voting?
Hours vary depending on the day and place you vote. There are no polls open on Sundays.
Early voting hours for Carter Senior Center, Downtown West, Faithway Missionary Baptist Church, Farragut Community Center, Gibbs Ruritan Club, New Harvest Park and Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church:
- Oct. 14: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 15-16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 19-20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 22-23: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 24: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 26-27: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 28: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 29: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Early voting hours for the City-County Building:
- Oct. 14: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 15-16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 19-20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 22-23: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 24: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Oct. 26-27: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 28: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 29: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Early voting hours for the Karns Senior Center:
- Oct. 14-16: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 19-23: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 26-29: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Early voting hours for the Knoxville Expo Center:
- Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 19-20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 22-23: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 24: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 26-27: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 28: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Oct. 29: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Early voting hours for Meridian Baptist Church:
- Oct. 14: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Oct. 15-16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 19-20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Oct. 22: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 23: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Oct. 26-27: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 28: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Oct. 29: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where do I vote on election day?
On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place. Find it at govotetn.gov.
When are polls open in Tennessee?
Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee election 2026 voting dates, times and info to know by Nov. 3
