With Tennessee's 2026 general election approaching, voters across the state will soon have the opportunity to cast their ballots before Election Day through the early voting period, which opens this week.
The ballot features a mix of federal, state and local races. Tennessee's gubernatorial contest marks thefirst time women from the two major parties have faced each other in a general election for the state's highest office. Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn will face Democratic candidate and Memphis City Council member Jerri Green in the race to succeed Gov. Bill Lee.
Also on the ballot for Tennessee governor are 15 independent candidates, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Ahead of the early voting period, here's what to know
about polling locations and voter ID requirements.
Are there designated early voting sites in Nashville?
There are no assigned polling sites during the early voting period, voters may cast their ballots at any early voting location. Early voting locations are open during the day, with some sites also open on evenings and Saturdays.
When is the early voting period?
In Tennessee, the early voting period begins 20 days before an election and typically ends five days before Election Day. In 2026, early voting runs from Oct. 14 through Oct. 29.
What are early voting times?
Most early voting sites will open at 8 a.m., with closing times varying between 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Voters will also be able to cast ballots on Saturdays, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For a complete look at early voting times, visitnashville.gov.
What are the early voting locations in Nashville?
Davidson County voters can cast their ballots at any one of the following early voting locations:
- Bellevue Library, 720 Baugh Road
- Bordeaux Library, 4000 Clarksville Pike
- Casa Azafrán Community Center, 2195 Nolensville Pike
- Community Foundation of Middle TN, 3421 Belmont Blvd.
- Edmondson Pike Library, 5501 Edmondson Pike
- Election Commission Office, 1281 Murfreesboro Pike
- Goodlettsville Library, 205 Rivergate Parkway
- Hermitage Library, 3700 James Kay Lane
- Hillwood High School, 6215 Hickory Valley Road
- Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave.
- Metro Office Building, 800 President Ronald Reagan Way
- Scarritt Bennett Center, 1027 18th Avenue South
- South Inglewood Community Center, 1624 Rebecca St.
- Southeast Library, 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch
- Madison Library, 610 Gallatin Pike South, Madison
What documents are necessary when voting early?
All voters must present afederal or Tennessee-issued photo IDcontaining their name when voting at the polls, whether during the early voting period or on Election Day, unless an exemption applies.
First-time voters who registered by mail or through Tennessee's online voter registration system and have an expired photo ID must also present an additional document showing their name and address. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or another government-issued document.
Here's a look at which forms of identification are accepted and who qualifies for an exemption.
Acceptable IDs:
- Tennessee driver license with your photo
- United States 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
Unacceptable IDs:
- College student IDs
- Photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government are NOT acceptable. This includes 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
Who is exempt?
- Voters who vote absentee by mail
- Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
- Voters who are hospitalized
- Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
- Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Early voting opens this week in Tennessee. Here's where to cast a ballot in Nashville.
