Turn your ballot upside down
We all know what'll be on the top of the ticket on Nov. 5. But the bottom of the ballot deserves attention, too.
Graphic by Ian-Alijah Bey
By William Newlin
There are around three weeks left for Tennesseans to register to vote in the November election, and at this point in the season, updates on the race for U.S. President are coming at all times, from all directions.
But, let's take a few minutes to look beyond the presidency, and dig into upcoming local and state races — their outcomes can impact our daily lives in big ways.
Candidates seeking to represent you in both Washington, D.C., and Nashville are asking for your vote in November. Even closer to home — voters in seven of Hamilton County’s 10 municipalities will choose city and town officials.
We are busy updating our local voter guide for you before Election Day, but in the meantime, here’s a primer about what to expect on your November ballot, starting at the bottom and going up.
What's on the ballot?
Local elections
Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Red Bank, Signal Mountain, Soddy Daisy, and Walden are all holding municipal elections on Nov. 5.
Find a full list of candidates for each of those positions here.
Why these races matter: Does your trash pickup run smoothly? Are your neighborhood streets in good shape? Local leaders are in charge of spending your tax dollars to address community concerns.
Liquor referendum: Voters in unincorporated Hamilton County will have another close-to-home decision. There’s a referendum on the ballot about whether to allow businesses in unincorporated areas to sell beer, wine, and liquor for customers to drink on-site.
State elections
Remember that state primary election in August? Well, all the winners in those races — one for the Tennessee Senate and five for the state House — are now competing to actually get the job.
Those jobs are:
TN Senate, District 10
TN House Districts 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Why these races matter: State Senate and House members craft laws affecting everyone in Tennessee. Abortion regulations, access to guns, the legal status of cannabis — these are state-level decisions made by your representatives in Nashville.
Want to know which races will be on your ballot? First find out which district(s) you’re in here.
Then, check out the Chattamatters voter guide for a reminder on who won the primaries, and see the full vote tallies here.
Federal elections
The primary winners for two big-time jobs in Washington, D.C., are back on the ballot.
U.S. Senate — Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn vs. Democratic candidate Gloria Johnson
U.S. House, District 3 — Republican candidate Chuck Fleischmann and Democratic candidate Jack Allen
The winner of the U.S. Senate race will be one of only two senators representing every Tennessean. And because everyone in the state gets to vote for their senator, everyone has the same opportunity to impact the outcome.
Similarly, all of Hamilton County lies in District 3, so every voter here will get to choose the U.S. House member who represents them in Congress.
Why these races matter: Federal policies create the larger framework in which state and local governments operate. Laws passed in D.C. have a national impact, and Congress’ spending decisions help fund education, infrastructure, and more, across states, counties, and cities.
And of course — the election for U.S. President, between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, will also be on November's ballot.
What to know about voting
There’s still time to register to vote! The deadline is Oct. 7. Certain groups, including seniors, college students, and election workers, can request an absentee ballot all the way until Oct. 29.
Register to vote here, and request an absentee ballot here.
See more frequently asked questions about registration and the voting process through our voter guide.
Stay tuned for more
We’re putting together an updated voter guide for the Nov. 5 contests, complete with information about the candidates, details about what senators and town commissioners do, and where to find your polling place.
Stay tuned as the election looms larger, and get ready to hit the polls with us!