Story perspectives

Nashville early voting surges 1,400% as governor race opens

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 3:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Early voting runs from Oct. 14 to Oct. 29, with Election Day on Nov. 3.
Governor’s race is open for the first time since 2018 because Gov. Bill Lee is term-limited.
Nashville’s first-day early-voter turnout rose 1400% from 2022 but fell nearly 20% versus 2018.
Shelby County voters can vote at any of 26 early-voting sites, open Monday through Saturday.
Absentee ballots be requested by Oct. 24 and received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

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Story summary

Early voting runs from Oct. 14 to Oct. 29, with Election Day on Nov. 3.
Governor’s race is open for the first time since 2018 because Gov. Bill Lee is term-limited.
Nashville’s first-day early-voter turnout rose 1400% from 2022 but fell nearly 20% versus 2018.
Shelby County voters can vote at any of 26 early-voting sites, open Monday through Saturday.
Absentee ballots be requested by Oct. 24 and received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.