~ from the Knox County Election Commission
ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, is the first day that eligible voters can request an absentee by mail ballot for the May 5, 2026, Knox County Primary Elections.
The application to request an absentee ballot can be found on the front page of www.knoxvotes.org.
Completed applications can be hand-delivered or mailed to 300 Main Street, Room 229, Knoxville, TN 37902.
Completed applications can be emailed to absenteeballot@knoxcounty.org.
Voters unable to download the application can request an application be mailed to them by calling the Knox County Election Commission at 865-215-2480.
PLEASE NOTE: A few common mistakes that the Election Commission sees in returned applications:
- The voter must sign the application himself/herself. As an example, a spouse’s signature is not acceptable.
- For this election, the voter must select a primary (Republican or Democratic).
- The application must contain the voter’s full Social Security number.
Any voter with a question or needing assistance can call the Election Commission at 865-215-2480 or can visit www.knoxvotes.org.
KNOXVOTES 2026! – Saturday, February 28, 2026 – SIGNUP ENDS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
With three elections in 2026 – representing 46 elected offices – the Knox County Election Commission (KCEC) continues its duty to answer voters’ questions by offering its KNOXVOTES 2026! seminar.
This interactive half-day seminar is geared towards voters, individuals considering a run for public office, and voters interested in being poll workers. Attendees will hear from KCEC staff and poll workers about how elections are conducted in Knox County and many of the details associated with preparing for an election.
In addition to a mock election, attendees will be presented with information on several topics, including:
- The different types of elections
- The eight types of voting
- How polling places are determined
- What candidates need to know before they run for office
- Ballot requirements, ballot order, and other ballot details
- How accurate voter registration rolls are maintained
- The important role that poll workers play in conducting elections
- Determination of results – how the votes are counted
- Election integrity and security – from pre-election public machine tests to post-election audits
There is no cost to attend, but attendees must pre-register. Attendees must be registered voters in Knox County.
WHEN: Saturday, February 28, 2026 – 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown West Early Voting/Training facility, 1645 Downtown West Blvd., Knoxville
REGISTER: Visit www.knoxvotes.org
CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
Any 2026 candidate for local office that filed an Appointment of Political Treasurer (AoT) form prior to January 16, 2026 was required to file a Year-End Campaign Financial Disclosure by Monday, February 2, 2026.
This report covered all financial activity from the candidate’s campaign – money raised and spent – from the date of filing the AoT (or July 1, 2025, if filed prior to July 1, 2025) to January 15, 2026.
Campaign reports from local candidates that have been received by the Election Commission have been posted at https://knoxcountytn.easyvotecampaignfinance.com/home/publicfilings
REGISTERED VOTERS IN KNOX COUNTY AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 2026
As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Knox County has 258,650 Active voters and 73,186 Inactive voters.
