Early Voting Opens October 14 in Tennessee and Runs Through October 29 Ahead of November 3 Election
Early voting for Tennessee's 2026 general election opened statewide on October 14 and runs through October 29, ahead of Election Day on November 3. According to election information from the Tennessee Secretary of State, the ballot includes races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Tennessee Senate seats in odd-numbered districts and Tennessee House seats, along with local offices in some communities and three proposed state constitutional amendments.
During the early voting period, voters may cast ballots at any designated early voting location in their county rather than an assigned Election Day precinct. In Nashville, for example, early voting sites are open during the day, with some also open on evenings and Saturdays; most sites open at 8 a.m. with closing times varying between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Voters can find locations and hours through the GoVoteTN app.
Voters casting a ballot in person must present a photo ID issued by the Tennessee state government or the federal government; expired IDs are acceptable, while college student IDs are not. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is October 24. By-mail ballots must be returned by mail and received by the county election commission no later than the close of polls on Election Day; hand delivery is not permitted.
In the governor's race, with Governor Bill Lee's term ending, the ballot includes Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Democratic nominee and Memphis City Council member Jerri Green, and multiple independent candidates.
Related: America's Electoral System (4): The Midterms: What Is on the Ballot on November 3, 2026
Related: West Virginia Voter Registration Closes Oct. 13, Online Until 11:59 p.m.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 提前投票站内等候的选民（资料图）。Alex Johnson 摄，CC BY-SA 2.0，维基共享资源
