The first Election Day of 2026 is approaching quickly, and White County voters will soon decide key local offices, school board seats, and whether to approve a county-wide sales tax increase. Whether you're a first-time voter or simply need a refresher, here is everything you need to know ahead of the May 5, 2026 County Primary Election.

Important Dates

• Voter Registration Deadline: April 6, 2026
• Early Voting: April 15–April 30, 2026
  Early voting is open to all registered voters.
• Election Day: May 5, 2026
  Voters must go to their assigned precinct unless they already participated in early voting.

Offices on the May 5, 2026 Primary Ballot

Voters will nominate candidates for:

• 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)

Voters will also answer a Yes/No question on the County Sales Tax Referendum, which would increase the county’s sales tax from 9.25% to 9.75%, matching the current rate inside Sparta city limits.

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 May 5 primary, that means approximately April 25, 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.