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Wilson County elections administrator explains primaries and how to vote in them
Summary
Tammy Smith, Wilson County Administrator of Elections, outlined the difference between primary and general elections, said primary voters must declare a party at the polling place (including a silent pointing option), and noted the next primary is May 5, 2026. More at wilenttnvotes.gov.
Tammy Smith, Wilson County Administrator of Elections, explained how primaries differ from general elections and what voters must do to participate in them.
Smith said primaries are held “so Republicans and Democrats can vote on the candidate they want to run for particular office,” and that the winners of those contests become their party’s nominees for the general election. She told listeners that independent candidates appear only on the general-election ballot alongside party nominees.
Why this matters: The guidance affects how local voters participate in candidate selection. For residents who prefer not to register by party, Smith noted Tennessee does not register voters by political party, but signing a primary application is an oath that the signer aligns with either the Democratic or Republican party for that primary.
Smith described practical steps for voters: when voting in a primary, voters “must declare whether you are Republican or Democrat when you come to vote,” and may make that declaration silently by pointing to their choice at the polling place. She added that the act of signing the application to vote in a primary constitutes swearing under oath to that alignment.
The next primary election in Wilson County is scheduled for May 5, 2026. Smith directed listeners to the county elections website, wilenttnvotes.gov, for additional information about voting procedures and polling locations.
The elections office did not discuss changes to registration law or provide citations to state statute during this announcement; listeners seeking legal details should consult state election authorities or the county elections website for official guidance.
