It's hard to believe election season is approaching again, but it is — and quickly.
Numerous federal, state and local races will be on the Nov. 3 ballot, including Memphis' controversial three newly redrawn Congressional districts.
The period to request an absente ballot is now open and goes up until Oct. 24. Visit the Shelby County Election Commission's website for more information on who qualifies to vote absentee and how to request a ballot.
Some other key dates:
- Register to vote by Oct. 5. You can do so by going to the election commission's website or completing a mail-in application.
- The early voting period will be Oct. 14-29. Keep following The Commercial Appeal's coverage and we'll provide more information on polling locations as we get closer.
City of Memphis revitalizes MATA board
The Memphis City Council appointed new members to the Memphis Area Transit Authority board at its Sept. 1 meeting — a new chapter in a series of administrative drama for the board that
governs the city's public transportation.
The following appointees, which came recommended by Memphis Mayor Paul Young, were approved last week:
- Sharon Harris
- Tate Wilson
- Willie Gregory
- Gwen Sutton
- William M. Mallory IV
- Allison Donald
- Antwoine Clark
- Brandon Arrindell (reappointment)
The new board members' terms are varying lengths. Maya Siggers, who was appointed in 2024, remains on the board.
The slate of appointments comes at a tumultuous time for MATA. Nine new board members were appointed in late 2024, but five of them resigned just months later after city officials extended the search for MATA's new CEO.
Bacarra Mauldin was fired as the authority's interim CEO in March 2025 after an internal investigation found she had violated MATA's procurement and travel policies. Bacarra filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in Shelby County Chancery Court earlier this year, which attorneys for the City of Memphis and MATA quickly moved to federal court. Mauldin's trial date in federal court is currently set for August 2027.
MATA still does not have a permanent CEO. The authority is currently run by a trusteeship with Rodrick Holmes at the helm as interim CEO.
Young said revitalizing MATA's board will not change the trusteeship for now, but will help reestablish the authority's structure and eventually play a part in hiring a permanent CEO.
National Guard to remain in Memphis for foreseeable future
Despite conflicting information circulating in recent weeks, the Tennessee National Guard isn't going anywhere. At least not immediately.
The members of the National Guard, and other federal agents, that are stationed in town as part of President Donald Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force have been constantly shifting in and out of Memphis since October. It is not clear exactly how long task force members stay in Memphis, with some saying they shift staff each week or so.
A media report the morning of Aug. 28 said the National Guard was withdrawing from Memphis, but Gov. Bill Lee's office said the National Guard is continuing its work and troops will remain in Memphis.
"The Tennessee National Guard continues to support the Memphis Safe Task Force alongside federal, state and local law enforcement partners," Lee's Director of Communications Elizabeth Johnson said in an email. "Gov. Lee remains in close communication with the Trump administration about this strategic public safety mission to ensure the long-term flourishing of Memphis."
Lee, who commands the state's national guard, has spoken on the force's successes while deployed in Memphis over the past year.
New Shelby County officials get sworn in
A new slate of Shelby County elected officials were sworn in at an Aug. 31 ceremony at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.
This included county Mayor Mickell Lowery and Sheriff Anthony Buckner, who both started their terms Sept. 1. New Shelby County Commissioners, Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members, judges, court clerks and county charter officeholders were also sworn into office with their loved ones by their sides.
In the ceremony’s closing remarks, Lowery thanked voters for the opportunity to create a government that “works for every community.”
“Today is not about one person. It’s about one Shelby,” he said.
This week and next
Both the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners are not meeting this week.
The newly elected County Commission will meet next on Sept. 14, and the City Council's next meeting is the following day, Sept. 15.
Got a question for us?
Got a question for the metro reporting team you would like us to take on? Have thoughts on what you want to see in our weekly politics column? Send an email to annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or call 901-930-7431.
Commercial Appeal Reporter Lucas Finton contributed to this story.
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431, and followed on X @AnnieSGoldman.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How to vote absentee ahead of November election; MATA board overhauled
