2026 Voter Guide
2026 Voter Guide
Your Guide to Voting in Rutherford County
We believe democracy works best when every voice is heard - and that starts with voting.
This voter guide was created to help you make informed choices before you head to the polls for the November 3, 2026 general election. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization, which means we don't support or oppose any candidate or political party. Our only goal is to give you clear, accurate information so you can decide for yourself.
We are on a mission to move Tennessee from last place in voter participation. Make your plan to vote as an informed citizen of Rutherford County, and share this guide with everyone you know.
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Event | November 3 General Election |
|---|---|
| Voter Registration Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| Early Voting Period | October 14 – 29, 2026 |
| Absentee Ballot Request Deadline | October 24, 2026 |
| Election Day | November 3, 2026 |
What's on the Ballot?
The August 6, 2026 election decided all local Rutherford County and municipal races, including County Mayor, Sheriff, Trustee, County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Register of Deeds, County Commission, and School Board. Those offices are now filled and are not on the November ballot.
On November 3, 2026, Rutherford County voters will decide the following:
- Governor of Tennessee
- United States Senate
- United States House of Representatives, District 4
- Tennessee State Senate, District 13
- Tennessee House of Representatives - Districts 13, 34, 37, 48 & 49
- Three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution
- Municipal elections in Eagleville, La Vergne, and the Town of Smyrna
2026 Congressional Redistricting Update
Look up your district at sos.tn.gov/announcements/2026-congressional-redistricting.
Who Are My Candidates?
Candidates for the November 3, 2026 general election are listed below. Visit vote411.org to learn more and see a personalized ballot for your address.
Constitutional Amendments
Three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot, in the order shown below. Each is a separate yes-or-no question. A YES vote changes the constitution as described; a NO vote leaves the current constitution unchanged. To pass, an amendment must receive more yes votes than no votes, AND the number of yes votes must be greater than half of all votes cast in the Governor's race - so skipping the Governor's race or the amendments can affect the outcome.
Read the official ballot questions, summaries, and full text at sos.tn.gov/elections/announcements/2026-proposed-constitutional-amendments.
Amendment 1 — Bail (Article I, Section 15)
How things work now: Under the current constitution, everyone charged with a crime has a right to be released on bail before trial, except for people accused of a capital offense (a crime that can carry the death penalty).
What the amendment would do: It would let a judge or magistrate deny bail before trial - keeping the person in jail until their case is resolved - for a specific list of serious charges: a capital offense, an act of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any offense for which a convicted person could not be released until serving at least 85% of the sentence. In those cases the judge or magistrate would have to state on the record the reasons for granting or denying bail.
A YES vote would allow judges to deny bail before trial for the listed serious offenses.
A NO vote would keep the current rule, under which bail can be denied only for capital offenses.
Supporters say: it gives judges a tool to keep people accused of the most serious violent crimes from being released before trial, which they argue protects victims and public safety.
Opponents say: it erodes the presumption of innocence by holding people who have not been convicted, and could keep more people in jail before trial, raising fairness and jail-population concerns.
Amendment 2 — Prohibit a State Property Tax (Article II, Section 28)
How things work now: Tennessee's constitution currently allows, but does not require, the state legislature to tax property. In practice the state has not levied a statewide property tax in more than 75 years.
What the amendment would do: It would permanently bar the Tennessee General Assembly from levying, authorizing, or otherwise permitting a state tax on real, personal, or mixed property. This applies only to a state-level property tax; it does not change the local (city and county) property taxes that fund local services.
A YES vote would write a permanent ban on a state property tax into the constitution.
A NO vote would keep the current language, which permits but does not require a state property tax.
Supporters say: it locks in a long-standing practice and protects property owners from a future statewide property tax.
Opponents say: the state already doesn't levy such a tax, so a constitutional ban is unnecessary and removes a revenue option future legislatures might need in an emergency.
Amendment 3 — Crime Victims' Rights / Marsy's Law (Article I, Section 35)
How things work now: The constitution already lists certain rights for crime victims, added by an amendment voters approved in 1998.
What the amendment would do: It would replace that section with an expanded list of victims' rights, including: fair treatment; notice of and participation in criminal and juvenile proceedings; participation in parole proceedings; protection from harassment and intimidation; notice of an offender's release or escape; restitution; a speedy resolution of the case; and the right to be told the minimum sentence an offender will serve and the scheduled release date. It would also require that the safety of the victim, the victim's family, and the public be considered before certain parole or release decisions.
A YES vote would add these expanded victims' rights to the state constitution.
A NO vote would keep the current, shorter list of victims' rights already in the constitution.
Supporters say: victims deserve clear, enforceable constitutional rights and better notice and participation in the process, on par with the attention given to the accused.
Opponents say: the broad language - especially around victim privacy - could limit public access to information and, some defense groups argue, complicate the due-process rights of the accused.
Where Can I Vote? You Have Options!
As a registered voter in Rutherford County, you can vote anywhere in the county. You are no longer assigned a specific polling place - choose any of the 30 Vote Centers below.
All polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check rutherfordcountytn.gov/voting-centers for the latest information.
| City / Area | Vote Center | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Christiana | Christiana Middle School | 4675 Shelbyville Pike |
| Eagleville | Eagleville Community Center | 317 Old Highway 99 |
| LaVergne | LaVergne Middle School | 382 Stones River Rd |
| Rock Springs Elementary School | 1000 Waldron Road | |
| Lascassas | Lascassas Elementary School | 6300 Lascassas Pike |
| Milton | Milton Church of Christ | 12155 Lascassas Pike |
| Murfreesboro | Barfield Elementary School | 350 Veterans Parkway |
| Blackman High School | 3956 Blaze Drive | |
| Blackman United Methodist Church | 4380 Manson Pike | |
| Browns Chapel Elementary School | 6128 Baker Road | |
| Cason Lane Academy | 1330 Cason Lane | |
| Central Magnet School | 701 East Main Street | |
| Hobgood Elementary School | 307 Baird Lane South | |
| Lane Agri-Park Livestock Pavilion | 315 John Rice Blvd | |
| Leanna Church of Christ | 4198 Sulphur Springs Rd | |
| Mitchell-Neilson Primary School | 1303 Jones Blvd | |
| Middle TN Association of Realtors | 311 Butler Drive | |
| North Blvd Church of Christ | 1112 North Rutherford Blvd | |
| Siegel Middle School | 355 West Thompson Lane | |
| SportsCom | 2310 Memorial Blvd | |
| Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School | 5555 Manchester Pike | |
| Wilson Elementary School | 1545 Cut Off Road | |
| World Outreach Church - Leadership Park | 1921 New Salem Rd | |
| Smyrna | Smyrna Elementary School | 1001 Sam Davis Road |
| Smyrna Middle School | 712 Hazelwood Drive | |
| Stewarts Creek Elementary School | 200 Red Hawk Parkway | |
| Stewartsboro Elementary School | 10479 Old Nashville Hwy |
Ready to Vote? Voter Registration Info
How to Register to Vote in Tennessee
You can register to vote in Tennessee if you are a U.S. citizen, a Tennessee resident, will be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, and have no felony convictions (or have had your voting rights restored - visit sos.tn.gov or call 877-850-4959 if applicable).
Check My Registration Status
Visit tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup or GoVoteTN.gov to check your registration status, find your polling place, track your absentee ballot, and view sample ballots.
Important Deadlines
You must register at least 30 days before Election Day. The registration deadline for the November 3 general election is October 5, 2026. First-time voters who registered online or by mail and have never voted in Rutherford County before must vote in person.
Voting by Absentee Ballot
Absentee voting lets you cast your ballot by mail. In Tennessee, you must have a qualifying reason (such as being away from your county on Election Day, illness, being a caregiver, military or overseas status, being 60 or older, or living in a licensed care facility). Request an absentee ballot from the Rutherford County Election Commission online at GoVoteTN.gov, by mail, or in person - your request must be received at least 7 days before Election Day (by October 24, 2026). Your completed ballot must be received by the time polls close on Election Day. Remember: your absentee ballot envelope must be signed, or it cannot be counted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ID do I need to vote?
Tennessee law requires a valid federal or Tennessee state-issued photo ID: driver's license, photo ID card, U.S. passport, or military photo ID. Student IDs are not accepted. Your ID may be expired but must still be recognizable.
Can I vote early anywhere?
Yes. During the early voting period (October 14 - 29), registered voters in Rutherford County may vote at any designated early voting location in the county.
What if I need assistance voting?
Voters who need assistance may receive help while voting. You may bring a person of your choice to assist you (with some exceptions). Polling locations are also equipped with accessible voting equipment.
I recently moved. What do I need to do?
Update your address at GoVoteTN.gov or contact the Rutherford County Election Commission. If your registration shows as "Inactive," it usually means records indicate you may have moved - you can still vote after verifying your address.
How do the constitutional amendments pass?
An amendment passes only if it receives more yes votes than no votes AND the yes votes equal a majority of the total votes cast in the Governor's race. That's why voting the full ballot matters.
Contact Information
Rutherford County Election Commission
1 South Public Square, Suite 103, Murfreesboro, TN 37130