Knoxville's city council and judge elections are coming in November. Here's what to know

Allie Feinberg, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

This November, Knoxville voters will choose three at-large city council members, a District 5 city council representative and a municipal judge.

The election is Nov. 7, but there are plenty of other dates to note before heading to the polls, especially if you need to register or plan to vote early.

Here's what you need to know about voting, how to register, who's on the ballot and more.

What is the Tennessee voter registration deadline?

The registration deadline has passed for this election.

How do I register to vote in Knoxville for next time?

First, determine if you are already registered at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup.

If you aren't registered, go to ovr.govote.tn.gov to start the process. You also can go to the Knoxville Election Commission office inside the Old Courthouse at 300 Main St. in downtown Knoxville.

You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and live in Tennessee.

Who is on the ballot in the 2023 Knoxville general election?

The general election is made up of the two candidates who received the most votes in their primary race. Municipal races are nonpartisan and there are no party affiliations listed on the ballot.

  • City Council At-Large Seat A: Incumbent Lynne Fugate is unopposed.

  • City Council At-Large Seat B: Debbie Helsley faces R. Bentley Marlow.

  • City Council At-Large Seat C: Incumbent Amelia Parker faces challenger Tim Hill.

  • City Council District 5: Incumbent Charles Thomas is unopposed.

  • Municipal Judge: Incumbent John R. Rosson faces challenger Tyler M. Caviness.

Where can I learn about the candidates?

Knox News sat down with all the candidates to talk about the major issues in their campaigns.

Our voter guide at knoxnews.com has summaries of all their responses for city council and municipal judge.

How do I register for an absentee ballot in Knoxville?

The final day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 31.

Ballot requests can be emailed to absenteeballot@knoxcounty.org.

There are a lot of eligibility restrictions around who can request absentee voting by mail, but some qualifications include voters who are age 60 and older, will be outside the county on Election Day, are hospitalized, are attending school away from home, live in a nursing home, are away for military service and more. Find all the qualifications at sos.tn.gov.

Where is early voting in Knoxville?

The early voting period is from Oct. 18 to Nov. 2.

During that time, registered voters can go to any polling place on any day or time it is open.

Here are the early voting locations:

  • Meridian Baptist Church, 6153 Chapman Highway

  • City-County Building, 400 Main St., main floor across from Circuit Court Division 1

  • Downtown West, 1645 Downtown West Blvd., Unit 40

  • Eternal Life Harvest Center at Five Points, 2410 Martin Luther King Ave. (next to Love Kitchen)

  • Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway

  • New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane

When is early voting in Knoxville?

Hours vary depending on the day and place you vote.

Early voting hours for Downtown West, Eternal Life Harvest Center, Knoxville Expo Center and New Harvest Park:

  • Oct. 18: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

  • Oct. 19-31: Polls are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.

  • Nov. 1-2: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Early voting hours for Meridian Baptist Church:

  • Oct: 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Oct: 19-31: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

  • Nov. 1-2: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Early voting hours for the City-County Building

  • Oct. 18: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

  • Oct. 19-20: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

  • Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Oct. 23-27: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

  • Oct. 28: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

  • Oct. 30-31: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

  • Nov. 1-2: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

When do I vote in Knoxville?

Election Day is Nov. 7.

Polls will be open 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. If you arrive at your polling site before 8 p.m. and have to wait in line past that time, you may still vote if you stay in line.

Where do I vote on election day?

On Nov. 7, you must vote at your registered polling place. Check your address at the Voting location search button at kgis.org.

Do I have to show an ID to vote?

Yes, you do.

These forms of identification are acceptable, even if they are expired:

  • Tennessee driver's license with your photo;

  • Passport;

  • Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security;

  • Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee government;

  • Military photo ID;

  • Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 2023 Knoxville elections: Registration, early voting and candidates