Voter Registration Deadline for November 3rd Election is Monday, October 5th

The State and Federal General / Collinwood and Clifton Municipal Election is coming up on November 3, 2026. This election will decide the winners of the State and Federal offices on the ballot, including the office of Governor of Tennessee.

Two seats on the Collinwood City Commission will be on the ballot. However, the two candidates who currently occupy those seats are the only candidates who qualified to be on the ballot: Shaundale Hanback and Kim McFall.

Eight candidates qualified to be on the ballot for the two seats on the Clifton City Commission: Tommy Boyd, Johnniecia Cooke, Christopher Huntingford, Chris Kelley, Jeff Letson, Tom Mathis, James Newcomb, and Layton Packwood.

One of these candidates, Jeff Letson, currently serves on the Clifton City Commission. Layton Packwood served on the commission several years ago. Another candidate, Tom Mathis, represented the City of Clifton’s district on the Wayne County Commission for many years.

The other candidates are all newcomers to Wayne County politics. Watch upcoming editions of The Wayne County News for more information on those seeking a seat on the Clifton City Commission in our “Meet the Candidates” series.

Important dates to remember:

State and Federal General Election: November 3, 2026

• Voter Registration Deadline: October 5, 2026

• Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 24, 2026

• Early Voting Period: October 14, 2026 through October 29, 2026

More information is coming soon on the Early Voting Period for the November 3rd election. The website for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, https://sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar, offers a wealth of information for Tennessee voters who want to know more about specific Tennessee elections and voter qualifications. Following are some tips the Secretary of State offers for voter registration.

How to Register to Vote

In order to participate in an election, a qualified voter must be properly registered no later than thirty (30) days before the election. The election commission office will process any by-mail voter registration form that has been postmarked at least thirty (30) days before the election.

To be eligible to vote in Tennessee:

• You must be a citizen of the United States.

• You must be (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the next election.

• You must be a resident of Tennessee.

• If you have been convicted of a felony on or after May 18, 1981, view the Eligibility to Vote after a Felony Conviction guide at https://sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/restoration-of-voting-rights.

Register to Vote (if eligible)

There are many ways to register to vote in Tennessee. Use one of the following methods:

• Use online voter registration to conveniently register to vote or update your voter registration at ovr.govote.tn.gov/.

• Download and complete the Voter Registration Application (found on website listed above) and mail the application to your county election commission.

• Pick up voter registration applications in person at the following locations:

- County Election Commission Office (call the Wayne County Election Commission Office at 931-722-3517 for more information)

- County Clerk’s Office

- Public Libraries

- Register of Deeds Offices

- Register during a transaction with one of the following agencies:

- Department of Health (WIC program)

- Department of Human Services

- Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

- Department of Mental Health

- Department of Safety (motor vehicles division)

- Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Anyone with questions about voter registration or the upcoming November 3rd election may call the Wayne County Election Commission Office at 931-722-3517. Administrator of Elections, Lillie Ruth Brewer, or any employee at the Election Commission will be glad to answer questions.