Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – Monday, December 22, 2025 is the first day that interested candidates can pick up a petition to run for the following local offices that will appear on the May 5, 2024 Knox County Republican and Democratic Primary ballot:
- Criminal Court Judge, Division I (to fill an unexpired term)
- County Mayor
- County Commission – Districts 3 and 7
- County Commission – Seats 10 and 11 (at large)
- Trustee
- General Sessions Judge, Division IV (to fill an unexpired term)
- *** NOTE: petitions for this office cannot be picked up until Friday, January 2, 2026.
- Sheriff
- Circuit, Civil Sessions, and Juvenile Court Clerk
- Criminal Court Clerk
- County Clerk
- Register of Deeds
- Board of Education – Districts 1, 4, 6, 7, and 9
Petitions for each of the above-listed offices will be available for the:
- Republican Primary,
- Democratic Primary, and
- for individuals seeking to qualify as an independent candidate.
Independent candidates – meaning candidates that do not wish to run in a Republican or Democratic Primary – that qualify to run for office will not appear on the May 5, 2026 ballot but will instead be on the August 6, 2026 Knox County General Election ballot.
The deadline to return a completed petition for one of the above-listed offices is Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 noon.
Petitions can be picked up from and returned to either Knox County Election Commission office:
300 Main Street, Room 229
Knoxville, 37902
109 Lovell Heights Road
Knoxville, 37922
ELECTION SCHEDULE
The Election schedule for the 2026 Knox County Republican and Democratic Primary Elections is as follows:
- Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 – First day to pick up a petition (except for General Sessions Judge, Division IV)
- *** Friday, January 2, 2026 – First day to pick up a petition for General Sessions Judge, Division IV
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – First day to request an absentee ballot (90 days prior to election)
- Thursday, February 19, 2026 at NOON – Petition Deadline for all offices
- Thursday, February 26, 2026 at NOON – Withdrawal Deadline for all offices
- Monday, April 6, 2026 – Final day to register to vote before election
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – First day of Early Voting period
- Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Final day to request an absentee ballot (10 days prior to election)
- Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Final day of Early Voting period
- Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – Election Day
More information can be found at www.knoxvotes.org or by calling the Knox County Election Commission at 865-215-2480.
