PUBLIC NOTICE – JEFFERSON COUNTY ELECTION NOTICE

Published by Editor on December 12, 2025.
Published under Jefferson County
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JEFFERSON COUNTY ELECTION NOTICE

The voters of Jefferson County are hereby notified pursuant to TCA 2-12-111(a), that the Republican and Democratic Political Party Executive Committees have called a Republican and Democratic Primary. The election will be held on May 5, 2026, for the following offices for the purpose of nominating candidates to appear on the August County General ballot:

Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part IV (Unexpired Term)
Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part V
District Attorney General 4th Judicial District
County Mayor
County Commission (2 from Districts 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 3 from District 3)
Trustee
Sheriff
Circuit Court Clerk
County Clerk
Register of Deeds
Road Commission Districts 1 and 3
Road Commission (1 Unexpired term District 2)
School Board Districts 1 and 3
*And any other office or question that may appear on the ballot

  • The first day to pick up a petition for this election is December 22, 2025.

  • Qualifying deadline will be February 19, 2026, at 12:00 NOON for those running as Republican, Democratic, or Independent Candidates.

  • The Withdrawal Deadline will be February 26, 2026, at 12:00 NOON.

  • Individuals desiring to run for the Office of Sheriff must submit the required paperwork with the Peace Officers Standard and Training Commission no later than February 5, 2026, pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-8-102(b)(1) or they will not have their name on the ballot.

  • The last day to register to vote in this election will be April 6, 2026.

  • Petitions may be picked up at:

Office Location: Jefferson County Election Commission

760 Justice Center Dr. Suite B.

Dandridge, TN 37725

(Across from the Justice Center)

Phone: 865-397-3440

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

The office will be closed December 24th, 25th, and 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday.

The office will also be closed December 31st at noon and closed January 1st and 2nd in observance of New Year’s Day.

Email: elections@jeffersoncountytn.gov

Please contact our office if you need to make arrangements to pick up your petition.

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR ELDERLY VOTERS OR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES

Any elderly voter or voter with a disability whose polling place is inaccessible may vote early by absentee ballot or at the Election Commission Office on Election Day.

All Jefferson County polling places have been found to be handicapped accessible by ADA.

If the voter chooses to vote at the Election Commission Office on Election Day, they must complete an affidavit at the Election Commission Office not later than April 23, 2026 stating that their designated voting location does not comply with the provisions of Public Law 98-435 of the 98th Congress.

As an alternative to voting at the Election Commission Office on Election Day, the voter may vote by absentee ballot or during the early voting period. (*Note – If the voter registered by mail, they must vote in person in the first election they vote in after registering). To vote an absentee ballot by-mail, the voter must make the request in writing and include their name (as registered), social security number, residence address (911 address), mailing address (if different from residence address), voter’s birthdate, the election they wish to vote in, the reason they are requesting to vote an absentee ballot and their signature. The written request must be received by mail not later than April 26, 2026. The first day to request absentee ballots to be voted by mail by persons other than armed forces, their spouses and overseas voters is February 3, 2026. Requests must be mailed to the Jefferson County Election Commission, P.O. Box 177, Dandridge, TN 37725.

Photo ID Requirements for All Voters

Tennessee state law requires all voters voting in person to present a Federal or a State of Tennessee issued photo ID. The ID must contain the voter’s name and photograph. For more information you may contact our office at 865-397-3440 or visit the Tennessee Divisions of Elections website at:

http://tn.gov/sos/election/index.htm .

The Election Commission will be closed for the following holiday schedule:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 19, 2026
President’s Day: February 16, 2026
Good Friday: April 3, 2026

Jefferson County Election Commission

Phyllis McCracken, Chairperson
Paul (Tim) Collins, Member
Betty Watkins, Secretary
Montford (Don) McGhee, Member
Paula Rugel Gibson, Member
Nathan T. Bugg EdD, AOE