Polls open Wednesday in Tennessee for early voting ahead of the November election.
Early voting run through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 5.
Voters must have registered by Oct. 7 to be eligible to cast a ballot in this election, which will decide the next president as well as several local races. You can check your status online.
The last day for qualified voters to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail is Oct. 29.
Here’s your guide to how and where to vote in Hamilton County and what you’ll be voting on.
(READ MORE: Read more about local candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot at timesfreepress.com/vote-2024)
WHERE CAN I VOTE?
During early voting, you can cast a ballot at any of the six polling places throughout Hamilton County, no matter where you live. (On Election Day, voters must go to their designated precinct to vote.)
Most early voting locations are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The Hamilton County Election Commission is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Here is the full list of early voting locations:
– Hamilton County Election Commission, 700 River Terminal Road, Chattanooga
– Chris L. Ramsey Sr. Community Center in Brainerd, 1010 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga
– Chestnut Hall at The Commons, 4750 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale
– Hixson Community Center, 5401 School Drive, Hixson
– Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Training Center, 9108 Snow Hill Road, Ooltewah
– Soddy-Daisy Community Center, 190 Depot Street, Soddy-Daisy
WHAT DO I NEED?
Voters must bring a photo ID to the polls to be given a ballot. That can be a state driver’s license, state ID card or a form of federal identification, like a passport or military ID, that has a photo. Gun permits are accepted and college identifications are not.
(READ MORE: Excitement brewing among Chattanooga-area voters for final weeks)
If you need a ride to the polls, the Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement is providing free rides throughout early voting. You can call 423-704-3348 to schedule a ride.
Hamilton County Schools will also take eligible students on a field trip to vote early.
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?
The big-ticket item on the ballot is the race for president. Former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump and Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris top the ballot. Tennessee’s ballots still include independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who dropped out of the race in August and endorsed Trump.
For a U.S. Senate seat, Tennesseans will be choosing between Republican incumbent Sen. Marsha Blackburn, challenger and state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and three independent candidates.
Voters in Southeast Tennessee will also decide whether to retain Republican Chuck Fleischmann in the U.S. House of Representatives or to vote in Democratic challenger Jack Allen or one of two independent candidates.
In Hamilton County, several state lawmakers are facing challengers:
– Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, faces Democrat Missy Crutchfield.
– Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, faces Democrat Allison Gorman.
– Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, faces independent Thomas J. Brooks III.
– Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, faces Democrat Ryan Scofield.
– Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge, faces Democrat Heather McClendon.
– Republican Michele Reneau, who ousted sitting Signal Mountain Rep. Patsy Hazlewood in the August primary, faces Democratic nominee and former school board member Kathy Lennon.
There are also municipal elections in East Ridge, Collegedale, Red Bank, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, Lakesite and Walden, as well as a referendum to make it easier for businesses in unincorporated Hamilton County to get liquor-by-the drink licenses.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.
