Knox County general election: Who is eligible for an absentee ballot and how do you apply?

Allie Feinberg, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read

Groundhog Day? Nope, it's just 2024. The state/federal primary elections, Knox County general election and Farragut municipal election are coming up Aug. 1. If you plan to be out of town that day, you are now allowed to request an absentee ballot.

Voters have a pretty big window to make their absentee ballot requests; the last day is July 25.

The process to request a ballot seems simple, but it can get confusing. One mistake can ruin an entire application. The Knox County Election Commission outlines the process and provides guidance to prevent that from happening.

Where can I apply for an absentee ballot?

The application can be found on the Knox County Election Commission's website. Completed applications can be submitted through several methods, including:

  • Hand deliver to 300 Main St., Knoxville, Room 229

  • Mail to 300 Main St., Knoxville, TN, 37902, Room 229

  • Email to absenteeballot@knoxcounty.org

  • Fax to 865-215-4239

Voters unable to download the application can request an application be mailed to them by calling the Knox County Election Commission at 865-215-2480.

Advice from the election commission

If you're nervous about your absentee ballot, take some advice from the experts. The Knox County Election Commission outlined a few common mistakes. Here are their pointers:

  • The voter must sign the application themselves. A spouse's signature is not acceptable.

  • For the primary election, the voter must select the Republican or Democratic primary.

  • The application must include the voter's full Social Security number.

While the deadline to apply for a ballot is July 25, officials recommend voters make their requests much sooner. Once an application is accepted, voters need to receive their ballot in the mail and return it to the election commission by mail on or before election day.

Hand-delivered ballots are not accepted.

Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?

The Tennessee Secretary of State's Office's website lists some of the criteria voters must meet to get an absentee ballot. There are a lot, but here are the standouts:

  • Voters who are 60 or older

  • Voters who are hospitalized

  • Voters who are full-time students out of state

  • Voters who have physical disabilities

Who's running Aug. 1?

In this round of voting, three types of elections will take place on the same day. In one section, voters will cast primary ballots to determine who they want representing the Republican or Democratic parties for the U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee House of Representatives and Tennessee Senate in general election in November.

In another section, voters will elect candidates to several Knox County offices. (The primary in those races was in March.)

Farragut residents will vote on Board of Mayor and Aldermen candidates.

To find all the candidates in one list, go to Knox News.

Correction: an earlier version of this story listed an incorrect phone number for the Knox County Election Commission. The correct number is 865-215-2480.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County voters: Who is eligible for an absentee ballot