Your guide to politics and elections in Knoxville | Knoxpedia
Interested in Knoxville politics? You're in the right place − this section of Knoxpedia has all you need to know about voting in Knoxville and Knox County's political system.
Below, you'll find answers to some of the most popular questions asked by those moving to town or new to living in Knoxville. Once you're finished, you can check out the full Knoxpedia guide and all its categories.
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How do I vote in Knoxville?
Tennesseans can register to vote online at ovr.govote.tn.gov. Fill out the request form, review your answers and submit to apply. The election commission will mail a voter registration card when your application has been accepted. But make sure you do this well before the next election! Applications are due at least 30 days before Election Day.
You also can complete registration by mail. You can print the Voters Registration Application, complete the form and mail it to the Knox County Election Commission at 300 W. Main St., Knox County Courthouse Room 229, Knoxville, TN 37902-1850.
Mailed applications must be postmarked at least 30 days before the next election.
Why are some local races partisan and some not?
All city of Knoxville elections, including those for mayor and City Council members, are nonpartisan. Knox County elections, on the other hand, are partisan, and candidates identify which party they represent. That goes for the county mayor and County Commission members, plus other positions such as sheriff, district attorney, county clerk, trustee and more. That's how Knoxville and Knox County end up with a nonpartisan city mayor and a county mayor with direct ties to a party.
What's on the Knoxville ballot for the 2024 elections?
Tennessee voters will go to the polls for three separate election days in 2024. March 5 will be the presidential preference primary, and the primary election for Knox County races, which include four seats on the Knox County School Board, seven Knox County Commission seats, county assessor, law director and criminal court judge Division II, Sixth Judicial District.
Aug. 1 will be the county general election, and the primary for state and federal races for seats in Congress and the Tennessee General Assembly.
The state and federal general election will be Nov. 5.
Why is there a Knoxville mayor and a Knox County mayor?
Knoxville and Knox County are separate entities with separate elections and different governing structures. The city mayor governs within city limits. The county mayor tends to focus outside city limits. Having a city mayor and a county mayor in one metro area might sound odd but it's normal in Tennessee (you're probably familiar with county executives – that's just a dressed-up name for county mayor). Only Nashville-Davidson County has a combined city-county government.
Is Knoxville Democratic or Republican?
Technically, Knoxville city elections are nonpartisan, so officeholders are not labeled on ballots as Democrats or Republicans. But city voters lean progressive, and they've increasingly voted for Democrats in state and national elections over the past 15 years or so. This trend is even beginning to bleed into conservative Knox County, though county voters overwhelmingly vote Republican.
Read more: The last three Knox County midterms show blue creeping in. See the maps
Have more questions about Knoxville elections and politics?
Let these Knox News reporters help you!
Tyler Whetstone is an investigative and public accountability reporter focused on Knoxville, Knox County and East Tennessee. He is particularly adept at stories dealing with police accountability and has reported exclusively on the Knoxville Police Department's struggles with inept leadership and the department's struggles with racism. Email: tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com.
Allie Feinberg is a trending politics reporter, localizing national and state news for Knoxville and East Tennessee's audiences. Previously, she reported on national politics for the Arizona Republic as a Pulliam Fellow. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville politics and voting in Knox County elections: What to know
