Tennessee’s 2026 Midterms: Voting Locations and Information

By: Megan Lawrence
Copy Editor

This year, on November 3, Tennesseans will vote in the state’s general election to decide their local, state, and federal representation.

Tennessee, historically, is a state of nonvoters; and modern disbelief in voting paints younger generations as indifferent citizens, making it harder to garner young voter retention. Though many young people see voting as unnecessary, believing that one missed vote won’t make a difference, the numbers can quickly add up. Innumerous voters across the country abstaining from electoral participation, even in small ways, can effectively hand wins to candidates that focus on older, more experienced demographics for their campaigns.

While presidential elections find the most voters, primaries and general elections are often left in the dust, being seen as less important despite the local effects the results have. This year, though the expectation for voter turnout is low, every eligible voter has the chance to make a difference simply by taking the initiative.

This year, candidates will vie for U.S. Senate, U.S House, Tennessee Governor, State Senate, State House, State Supreme Court, intermediate appellate courts, school boards, and municipal governments. Also up for voting are three ballot measures, which will ask voters to decide on state legislature changes. To vote on ballot measures, you may select either “yes” or “no,” with yes meaning you approve of the change being presented.

To review represented candidates, legislature changes, policies, and a personalized ballot example for November, you can refer to ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026. Depending on your county, ballot results will vary based on the relevant representation for election. Sumner County locals can find a calendar for early voting locations, days, and times at votesumnertn.org.

If you turn eighteen before or on election day, you can register to vote before Monday, October 5 at sos.tn.gov/govotetn. There, you may also review the validity of your voter registration, polling locations across the state, and information on mail-in ballots if you are unable to vote in person.

If you’d like to get involved here at Vol State, the Campus Activities Board is holding a voter registration event on September 28, and our Student Government Association will also advertise voter registration at their stop-by on September 29, both of which will be held in the second-floor hall of the Steinhauer-Rogan-Black building.

Tennessee’s congressional districts were recently redrawn, and below is the most up-to-date districts map for the state.

Because waiting to vote can take a long time, especially with limited voting spaces in Sumner County, please know that you have the constitutional right to prioritize voting over school and/or work on Election Day.

To vote, bring your driver’s license or a similar form of valid state- or federal-issued identification. At polling locations, follow the etiquette of refraining from wearing political merch, and keep conversations civil.

And, to support the future you want, please vote by or on November 3 in Tennessee’s general election.