polls for a packed ballot that includes the White County General Election, Tennessee’s state and federal primary elections, and the City of Sparta General Election. Whether you're a first-time voter or simply need a refresher, here is everything you need to know ahead of the Aug. 6, 2026 election.

Important Dates

• Voter Registration Deadline: July 7, 2026 (If you registered before the May Primary, or have kept a registration current, you do not have to register to vote again.)
• Early Voting: July 17 - August 1, 2026
  Early voting is open to all registered voters.
• Election Day: August 6, 2026
  Voters must go to their assigned precinct unless they already participated in early voting.

Offices on the August 6, 2026 County General Election

Voters will vote for the following offices. All candidates - regardless of party affiliation - will be on this ballot.

• County Executive
• County Commissioners (Districts 1–7, two seats per district)
• County Trustee
• Sheriff
• Circuit Court Clerk
• County Clerk
• Register of Deeds
• Road Superintendent
• School Board (Districts 5, 6, and 7)

Offices on the August 6, 2026 City of Sparta General Election

Voters will vote for the following offices. Only those who reside or own property inside Sparta city limits are elgible to vote on this ballot.

• City Mayor
• City Alderman (choose up to three)

Offices on the August 6, 2026 State and Federal Primary Election

Voters will vote for the following offices. Voters must choose either a Republican or a Democrat ballot and will only be able to vote for candidates on that ballot. The vote serves as a nomination for the party's candidate in the November General Election.

• Tennessee State Governor
• Tennessee Senate
• Tennessee House of Representatives
• State Executive Committeeman
• State Executive Committeewoman
• US Senate
• US House of Representatives

NOTE: Only those candidates qualified as either Republican or Democrat will appear on the August ballots as this is a Primary Election. Those running as Independent will be on the November General Election ballots.

Election Day Polling Locations

Below are the official polling places for White County. Voters must cast ballots at the precinct assigned to their address.

White County Polling Places

What to Bring When You Vote

The Tennessee Election Commission requires a TN or U.S. government-issued photo ID such as:

• Tennessee driver’s license
• Tennessee handgun carry permit with photo
• U.S. passport
• U.S. military ID
• Any other federal or Tennessee state photo ID

Your address will be verified on site.

Before You Go: Make Sure Your Information Is Correct

Voters should confirm their registration status, precinct, and personal information before Election Day.

Use GoVoteTN.com or the GoVoteTN app to:

• Verify your registration
• Confirm your polling place
• Update your address
• Review your sample ballot

If your name has changed

• Marriage/divorce: Bring a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree.
• Court-ordered name change: Bring the certified court order.

If your address has changed

• Address changes can be completed online through GoVoteTN.
• Update these before Election Day to ensure the smoothest check-in experience.

What to Expect at the Polls

White County uses paper ballots.
Voters mark their selections and scan the ballot into a tabulator.

If you have questions or need assistance, precinct workers will help guide you through the process.

Who Cannot Vote

Under Tennessee law, a person cannot vote if:

• They are not registered by the April 6 deadline
• They are not a U.S. citizen
• They are not a White County resident
• They are not yet 18 years old
• They have a felony conviction without their voting rights restored or expunged

How to Vote Absentee in Tennessee

Tennessee does not allow no-excuse absentee voting (except for those 60+). A voter must qualify under one of the state’s listed reasons.

You may vote absentee by mail if you are:

• 60 years of age or older
• Outside White County during the entire early voting period and on Election Day
• Hospitalized, ill, or have a physical disability that prevents in-person voting
• The caretaker of someone who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled
• A full-time student living out of county (or the spouse of one)
• Serving on a jury
• An election worker assigned to another precinct
• Observing a religious holiday that prevents in-person voting
• A candidate for office
• A member of the military or an overseas voter (with special federal options available)

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Your written request must be received by the Election Commission no later than 10 days before Election Day.

For the August 6 election, that means approximately July 27, 2026.

Your request must include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Registered address
• Mailing address for the ballot
• Election date (and party for a primary)
• The reason you qualify to vote absentee
• Your signature

Absentee requests can be submitted by mail, fax, or email with a scanned signature.

Returning Your Absentee Ballot

• Ballots must be returned by mail.
• Hand-delivery is not allowed in Tennessee.
• Ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
• A postmark does not guarantee timely arrival.

Military and overseas voters may use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or receive ballots electronically.

When Are Election Results Released?

• Polls close at 7 p.m.
• Results cannot be tabulated until all polling locations have closed.
• Daily turnout numbers from early voting can be reported, but results cannot be released until Election Night.