"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate" --Thomas Jefferson
This is the primary election for federal and state positions. Continue to the next section for more information about how primaries work.
This is the general election for all local positions, meaning there will be one candidate from each party. The winner of the general election will hold that office.
This is also the general election for measures to retain or replace certain state Appeals Court and Supreme Court judges.
Tennessee uses an open primary system, so voters do not have to register with a political party before Election Day. When you go to vote in a primary, you choose either the Republican or Democratic ballot and vote only in that party’s races. The candidates who receive the most votes in each party’s primary advance to the general election, where they compete against candidates from the other party.
The winners of each party's primary go on to the general election in November.
See democrats.org, tndp.org, gop.com, and tngop.org for more information on each party.
Constituents: All of Tennessee
The Governer serves as the state's chief executive. They review laws, signing or vetoeing them, and appoint people to many executive and judicial roles. They are also the commander-in-chief of state military.
Constituents: All of Tennessee
The elected candidate will serve as one of Tennessee's two representatives in the U.S. Senate, the smaller of the two houses of Congress.
Constituents: District 2 (includes all of Knox County)
The elected candidate will reperesent Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, the larger of the two houses of Congress.
Every Knox County resident lives in one of these districts. Find My District
The House is the smaller chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly, the legislative branch of the state government, which writes and passes laws.
Constituents: Residents of State Senate districts 5 and 7
Find My District
The Senate is the smaller chamber of the General Assembly.
Constituents: Residents of State Senate districts 5, 6, and 7. Every Knox County resident lives in one of these districts.
The Republican SEC and Democratic SEC serve as the governing bodies of their respective state political parties. They decide which candidates are allowed to run in the primaries, manage party bylaws, and organize fundraising.
Under Tennessee state law, judges on the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Criminal Court of Appeals serve eight-year terms. After each term, retention elections take place, when citizens vote to retain (keep) or replace a judge.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The County Mayor is the chief executive of Knox County, like the local version of a president or governor. They are responsible for leading the county's executive branch.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The Sheriff is the head of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, the primary law enforcement agency for the county.
General Election
Constituents: Commission Districts 3 & 7 Only
Find My District
The County Commission acts as Knox County's legislative body. They set the county budget and taxes, enact and amend local laws and ordinances, and execute other government functions. You will only vote for your district's commissioner.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
You will vote in both of these races
Commissioners At-Large hold the same positions as regular commissioners, but are elected by the whole county rather than one single district. You will vote for a commissioner for each seat.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The Trustee serves as the treasurer for the county. Their office is responsible for tax collection and government investments.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The responsibilities of the Clerk include issuing vehicle registrations, marriage licenses, and business licenses, among others.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
Unexpired term
Criminal Court judges preside over felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as misdemeanor appeals.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
Unexpired term
Since Knox County has a criminal court, Circuit Court judges preside over non-criminal matters, which may include civil cases and divorces.
General Election
Constituents: Residents of school board districts 1, 4, 6, 7, and 9
Find My District
The BOE oversees Knox County Schools. This includes managing their budget, appointing the superintendent, and enacting district-wide policies.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The Register of Deeds records and maintains legal property records, as well as the system used to access them.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The Clerk handles most administrative tasks for the courts, including collecting fees, maintaining files, and processing documents.
General Election
Constituents: All of Knox County
The Criminal Court Clerk holds the same position as the other Court Clerk, but for the Criminal Court.
General Election
Constituents: Town of Farragut residents
The Mayor of Farragut presides over and is a voting member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which creates and executes town policies
General Election
Constituents: Town of Farragut residents
Aldermen also serve on the town Board and perform the town's general legislative functions. Ward 1 ("North Ward") includes all residents north of Kingston Pike, while Ward 2 ("South Ward") includes all residents to the south.
