Knoxville TN, October 27, 2025
News Summary
Early voting for the Knoxville City Council elections and a city sales tax referendum is underway, showing strong turnout compared to previous elections. As voting commenced on October 15 and continues until October 30, over 5,100 votes have been cast, with the Downtown West precinct leading. Candidates express concern over housing, infrastructure, and public safety as voters engage with the electoral process ahead of Election Day.
Knoxville
Early voting for the Knoxville City Council elections and a city sales tax referendum began on October 15 and will continue until October 30. As of the halfway mark on October 16, a total of 5,112 votes had been cast, with 651 of those being absentee or nursing home ballots.
Early Voting Statistics
The Downtown West precinct leads in early voting with 1,535 ballots cast. Following closely is New Harvest Park with 976 ballots, while the Expo Center, which opened later, has had 605 ballots cast. Other voting precincts include the City-County Building with 501 votes, Eternal Life Church with 430 votes, and South Precinct at Meridian Baptist Church with 414 votes.
Chris Davis, administrator of the Knox County Election Commission, noted that early voting turnout is more than double compared to the previous City Primary’s first half. The ongoing sales tax referendum is reported to be driving considerable interest in the elections, sparking hopes for steady voter turnout through Election Day on November 4.
Demographics of Early Voters
Most of the early voters are aged over 55, with slightly more females voting than males. Registered voters in Knoxville number over 98,000, and 600 ballots were cast on the first day of early voting. Additionally, over 300 absentee ballots were received by October 15, indicating early engagement in the electoral process.
Details of the Elections
The City Council elections involve open seats in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 due to term limits for the current council members. This election marks a historic change as only residents of each district will vote for their district’s representatives in both primaries and general elections. All voters can vote on the ballot concerning the proposed 0.5% city sales tax increase, aimed at funding improvements.
Voting Locations and Absentee Ballots
Voters can cast their ballots at six designated locations across Knoxville, with specific hours varying by location. Absentee ballot requests must be made by October 25 to be eligible for the November 4 election.
Candidate Concerns
Comments from council candidates reveal widespread concerns about issues such as housing affordability, growth management, public safety, and infrastructure in the city’s future.
Summary of Early Voting Data
| Precinct | Ballots Cast |
|---|---|
| Downtown West | 1,535 |
| New Harvest Park | 976 |
| Expo Center | 605 |
| City-County Building | 501 |
| Eternal Life Church | 430 |
| South Precinct at Meridian Baptist Church | 414 |
FAQ
When does early voting for the Knoxville City Council elections begin and end?
Early voting for the Knoxville City Council elections began on October 15 and will continue until October 30.
How many votes were cast by the halfway mark of early voting?
A total of 5,112 votes had been cast by the halfway mark on October 16, with 651 of those being absentee or nursing home ballots.
Which precinct has the highest early voting turnout?
The Downtown West precinct leads in early voting with 1,535 ballots cast.
What are the demographics of early voters in Knoxville?
Most of the early voters are aged over 55, with slightly more females voting than males.
What significant issues are candidates concerned about in this election?
Comments from council candidates reveal widespread concerns about issues such as housing affordability, growth management, public safety, and infrastructure in the city’s future.
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Additional Resources
- WATE: Early Voting Locations in Knoxville
- Wikipedia: Early Voting
- Knox News: Knoxville Election Early Voting Hours
- Google Search: Knoxville City Council Elections
- WBIR: Early Voting Snapshot of Candidates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Knox TN Today: Early Voting and Block Party
- Google News: Knoxville Early Voting
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
