The Nov. 3 general election will help shape Tennessee's federal political landscape. Following a special session led by Republican lawmakers, Tennessee's congressional districts were redrawn, with the 9th Congressional District undergoing significant changes.
Alongside the congressional races is the contest to become Tennessee's 51st governor. If either major-party candidate wins, Tennessee will elect its first female governor.
What follows is a voter guide with key election information, including important dates, polling resources, voter ID requirements, candidates and constitutional amendments. The guide also includes information about the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, whose outcome could carry both statewide and national significance.
All eyes will be on Tennessee on Nov. 3.
Key Dates
Early Voting, Absentee Ballot and Election Day
- Early voting – Oct. 14–29, 2026
- Absentee ballot request deadline – Oct. 24, 2026 (passed)
- Election Day – Nov. 3, 2026
Where to vote on Nov. 3
Look up your sample ballot, polling location, elected officials and other useful voter information. Redistricting updates are made as they are received from county election commissions.
- GoVoteTN –govote.tnsos.gov
What documents do I need to vote?
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must present a valid photo ID.
The following are acceptable forms of ID, even if expired:
- Tennessee driver license with your photo
- U.S. passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- United States military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
First-time voters who registered by mail or throughOnline Voter Registration and present an expired ID must also provide one of the following:
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document showing the voter's name and address
Unacceptable IDs
- College student IDs
- Photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government, including county- or city-issued photo IDs such as library cards and photo IDs issued by other states
- Photo IDs issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to non-U.S. citizens
Voters exempt from photo ID requirements
- Voters who vote absentee by mail (see absentee voting requirementshere)
- Residents of licensed nursing homes or assisted living centers who vote at their facility
- Hospitalized voters
- Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
- Indigent voters who cannot obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
Who's on the ballot?
These are the sample ballots for the contested elections of note in Tennessee.
Tennessee governor's race
The governor’s race features Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Democratic nominee Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member, along with notable independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston. Candidates for Governor
Candidates for Governor
- Marsha Blackburn (Republican) – Brentwood
- Jerri Green (Democratic) – Memphis
- Misam Abidi (Independent) – Nolensville
- Dean Brewer (Independent) – Knoxville
- Ray Brown (Independent) – Oliver Springs
- David Hatley (Independent) – Gray
- Wendell Jackson (Independent) – Clarksville
- Charles Van Morgan (Independent) – Knoxville
- Eddie Lee Murphy (Independent) – Spring Hill
- Lauren Pinkston (Independent) – Columbia
- Victor L. Scoggin (Independent) – Pegram
- Dave Seeman (Independent) – Nashville
- Karl Knox Smithson (Independent) – McMinnville
- L. Webb Taylor (Independent) – Memphis
- Robert C. Vick (Independent) – Dandridge
U.S. House District 4
Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District race features Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais, Democratic nominee Victoria Broderick and independent candidates Jacob Kristopher Anders and Clay Faircloth.
Candidates for U.S. House District 4
- Scott DesJarlais (Republican) – Sherwood
- Victoria Broderick (Democratic) – Fayetteville
- Jacob Kristopher Anders (Independent) – Tullahoma
- Clay Faircloth (Independent) – Nashville
U.S. House District 5
One of the state’s most closely watched races features Republican nominee and former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher against Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, the Democratic nominee.
Candidates for U.S. House District 5
- Charlie Hatcher (Republican) – College Grove
- Chaz Molder (Democratic) – Columbia
- James A. Johnson (Independent) – Memphis
- Micheál (Me-Haul) O'Leary (Independent) – Nashville
U.S. House District 6
Tennessee House Republican Whip Johnny Garrett is facing Democratic nominee Mike Croley, a former Tennessee park ranger and Navy veteran. Independent candidates Christopher B. Monday and Angus Purdy also are on the ballot.
Candidates for U.S. House District 6
- Johnny Garrett (Republican) – Goodlettsville
- Mike Croley (Democratic) – Crossville
- Christopher B. Monday (Independent) – Cookeville
- Angus Purdy (Independent) – Nashville
U.S. House District 7
Former Army officer and Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps won a special election in December 2025 to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green. The Republican incumbent faces Democratic nominee Darden Copeland, a Nashville businessman. Independent candidates Lowell Reynolds and Andrew J. Koontz also are on the ballot.
Candidates for U.S. House District 7
- Matt Van Epps (Republican) – Nashville
- Darden Copeland (Democratic) – Nashville
- Andrew J. Koontz (Independent) – Portland
- Lowell Reynolds (Independent) – Nashville
U.S. House District 9
With the retirement of longtime Democratic incumbent Steve Cohen, the race to succeed him in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District pits state Sen. Brent Taylor against state Rep. Justin Pearson. It is one of Tennessee’s highest-profile contests and a test of the district boundaries redrawn by Republican lawmakers in a former Democratic stronghold.
Candidates for U.S. House District 9
- Brent Taylor (Republican) – Eads
- Justin J. Pearson (Democratic) – Memphis
- Dennis Clark (Independent) – Memphis
- Michelle Davis Head (Independent) – Lewisburg
U.S. Senate
This rematch of the 2020 election features Republican incumbent Bill Hagerty and Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw, an environmental activist from Memphis.
Candidates for United States Senate
- Bill Hagerty (Republican) – Nashville
- Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic) – Memphis
- Tharon Chandler (Independent) – Lawrenceburg
- Andrew Gerena (Independent) – Knoxville
- Jeremy Dean Hearn (Independent) – Collierville
- Robert Jones (Independent) – Jonesborough
- James William Macon III (Independent) – Memphis
- Yoshi D. Matthews (Independent) – Goodlettsville
- David Sutman Jr. (Independent) – Gray
- Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson (Independent) – Chattanooga
Tennessee Senate
The following contested Tennessee Senate races will appear on the ballot for Middle Tennessee voters in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Candidates in unopposed races are not listed below.
Candidates for Tennessee Senate
Tennessee Senate District 13
Part of Rutherford County
- Dawn White (Republican) – Murfreesboro
- Angela Evans Wynn (Democratic) – Smyrna
Tennessee Senate District 17
Wilson County and part of Davidson County
- Mark Pody (Republican) – Lebanon
- Lindsey Patrick-Wright (Democratic) – Mt. Juliet
Tennessee Senate District 23
Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys and Robertson counties, and part of Montgomery County
- Kerry Roberts (Republican) – Springfield
- David Lee Marcum (Independent) – McEwen
Tennessee Senate District 27
Part of Williamson County
- Jack Johnson (Republican) – Franklin
- David A. Hardy (Democratic) – Franklin
Tennessee House of Representatives
Below are the contested Tennessee House of Representatives races on the ballot of interest in Middle Tennessee for the Nov. 3 general election. Candidates in unopposed races are not listed below.
Tennessee House District 13
Part of Rutherford County
- Robert Stevens (Republican) – Smyrna
- Brett Windrow (Democratic) – La Vergne
Tennessee House District 34
Part of Rutherford County
- Tim Rudd (Republican) – Murfreesboro
- Owen Farnsworth (Democratic) – Murfreesboro
Tennessee House District 35
Trousdale County and part of Sumner County
- William Slater (Republican) – Gallatin
- Phil Barnes (Democratic) – Hendersonville
Tennessee House District 37
Part of Rutherford County
- Charlie Baum (Republican) – Murfreesboro
- Mary Ann Young (Democratic) – Murfreesboro
Tennessee House District 38
Clay, Macon and Pickett counties, and parts of Fentress and Scott counties
- Kelly T. Keisling (Republican) – Byrdstown
- Seth McMillan (Democratic) – Robbins
Tennessee House District 40
Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson and Smith counties, and part of Wilson County
- Michael Hale (Republican) – Smithville
- Daniel T. Hawthorne (Democratic) – Dixon Springs
Tennessee House District 42
Part of Putnam County
- Ryan D. Williams (Republican) – Cookeville
- Trenton Tyler Strode (Democratic) – Cookeville
Tennessee House District 43
Warren and White counties
- Paul Sherrell (Republican) – Sparta
- Samantha Petit (Democratic) – Morrison
Tennessee House District 44
Part of Sumner County
- William Lamberth (Republican) – Portland
- Latoya Holcomb (Democratic) – Portland
Tennessee House District 45
Part of Sumner County
- Brian Stewart (Republican) – Hendersonville
- Mandy Cook (Democratic) – Hendersonville
Tennessee House District 46
Part of Wilson County
- Clark Boyd (Republican) – Lebanon
- Dominic Howard (Democratic) – Lebanon
Tennessee House District 47
Coffee and Grundy counties
- Rush Bricken (Republican) – Tullahoma
- Mike Stein (Democratic) – Manchester
Tennessee House District 48
Part of Rutherford County
- Bryan Terry (Republican) – Murfreesboro
- Matt Ferry (Democratic) – Murfreesboro
Tennessee House District 49
Part of Rutherford County
- Mike Sparks (Republican) – Smyrna
- Connie Casha (Democratic) – Smyrna
Tennessee House District 52
Part of Davidson County
- Michele Vetter (Republican) – Nashville
- Justin Jones (Democratic) – Nashville
- Martez Coleman (Independent) – Antioch
Tennessee House District 55
Part of Davidson County
- Jayla Thomas (Republican) – Nashville
- John Ray Clemmons (Democratic) – Nashville
Tennessee House District 57
Part of Wilson County
- Susan M. Lynn (Republican) – Old Hickory
- Matt Burchfield (Democratic) – Mt. Juliet
Tennessee House District 59
Part of Davidson County
- Bill Hancock (Republican) – Nashville
- Mark Proctor (Democratic) – Brentwood
Tennessee House District 60
Part of Davidson County
- Eva Angelina Romero (Republican) – Nashville
- Shaundelle Brooks (Democratic) – Hermitage
Tennessee House District 61
Part of Williamson County
- Gino Bulso (Republican) – Brentwood
- Becca Ripley (Democratic) – Brentwood
Tennessee House District 62
Bedford and Moore counties, and part of Lincoln County
- Pat Marsh (Republican) – Shelbyville
- Brieanna L. Akers (Democratic) – Bell Buckle
Tennessee House District 63
Part of Williamson County
- Jake McCalmon (Republican) – Franklin
- Laura Andreson (Democratic) – Franklin
Tennessee House District 64
Part of Maury County
- Scott Cepicky (Republican) – Culleoka
- Craig D'Apolito (Democratic) – Columbia
Tennessee House District 65
Part of Williamson County
- Lee Reeves (Republican) – Franklin
- Julian Herbert Pierre-Griffin (Democratic) – Franklin
Tennessee House District 66
Robertson County
- Sabi "Doc" Kumar (Republican) – Springfield
- Tamara Bavendam (Democratic) – Springfield
Tennessee House District 67
Part of Montgomery County
- Chris Lanier (Republican) – Clarksville
- Ronnie L. Glynn (Democratic) – Clarksville
Tennessee House District 68
Part of Montgomery County
- Aron Maberry (Republican) – Clarksville
- Garfield Scott (Democratic) – Clarksville
Tennessee House District 69
Hickman and Lewis counties, and part of Dickson County
- Jody Barrett (Republican) – Dickson
- Rachael Murray (Democratic) – Hohenwald
Tennessee House District 70
Giles County and parts of Lawrence and Lincoln counties
- Clay Doggett (Republican) – Pulaski
- Rayanne Moos (Democratic) – Lawrenceburg
Tennessee House District 71
Wayne County and parts of Lawrence and Maury counties
- Kip Capley (Republican) – Summertown
- Matt Day (Democratic) – Columbia
Tennessee House District 75
Part of Montgomery County
- Michael Lankford (Republican) – Palmyra
- Allie Phillips (Democratic) – Clarksville
Tennessee House District 78
Cheatham County and part of Dickson County
- Perry Keenan (Republican) – Ashland City
- Hillary Capes-Gwinn (Democratic) – White Bluff
Tennessee House District 92
Marshall County and part of Williamson County
- Todd Warner (Republican) – Lewisburg
- Teri Mai (Democratic) – Spring Hill
Proposed Amendments on the Nov. 3, 2026 Ballot
Proposed amendments are listed directly after the candidates for governor. Each proposed amendment is a yes-or-no question:
- A "yes" vote is a vote to amend the Constitution and adopt the language in the proposed amendment.
- A "no" vote is a vote to keep the current language in the Constitution unchanged.
For an amendment to pass and become part of the Constitution, both of the following must happen:
- The amendment must receive more "yes" votes than "no" votes.
- The number of "yes" votes must be more than half of all votes cast in the governor's race.
If either requirement is not met, the amendment does not pass and the Constitution remains unchanged.
Constitutional Amendment No. 1
Proposed by: Senate Joint Resolution No. 919 (113th) and Senate Joint Resolution No. 25 (114th)
Attorney General summary: This amendment changes Article I, Section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution by allowing a court to hold a defendant without bail before trial when that defendant is accused of an offense punishable by the death penalty, an act of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any crime for which a convicted person would be required to serve 85% of their sentence. The amendment also requires courts to state on the record the reasons for granting or denying bail in those cases.
Ballot question:
Shall Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended to expand the list of offenses for which defendants may be denied bail before trial and require judges or magistrates to place on the record their reasons for granting or denying bail in those cases?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ No
Constitutional Amendment No. 2
Proposed by: House Joint Resolution No. 81 (113th) and Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 (114th)
Attorney General summary: This amendment adds language to Article II, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution prohibiting the Legislature from imposing a state property tax on real, personal or mixed property.
Ballot question:
Shall Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended to prohibit the Legislature from levying, authorizing or otherwise permitting a state tax on real, personal or mixed property?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ No
Constitutional Amendment No. 3
Proposed by: House Joint Resolution No. 94 (113th) and Senate Joint Resolution No. 9 (114th)
Attorney General summary: This amendment changes Article I, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution by clarifying and expanding the rights of crime victims. New rights include fair treatment, participation in the parole process, protection from harassment, intimidation and abuse, notice of minimum sentences and release dates, and consideration of victim and public safety before a convicted offender is released. The amendment also preserves and clarifies existing victims' rights while maintaining the powers of prosecutors and courts and creating no cause of action for damages against the state.
Ballot question:
Shall Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee be replaced with new language expanding and clarifying constitutional rights for crime victims in criminal and juvenile justice proceedings?
- ☐ Yes
- ☐ No
For More Information
Learn how to register, update your registration or check your status at the Tennessee Secretary of State's voter registration page: sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/how-to-register-to-vote.
Tacuma R. Roeback is The Tennessean’s community engagement and opinion editor. Reach him at troeback@gannett.com or follow him on X, Bluesky or LinkedIn.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Your Tennessee voter guide for Election Day 2026 | Opinion
