With the 2026 election year quickly approaching, Greene County Administrator of Elections Justin Reaves addressed the Greene County Republican Women during their November meeting.
Reaves updated the gathering on all the activities his office is involved in, which guarantees a busy time even in non-election years such as this year.
Reaves has been with the election office for 11 years, and in 2021, accepted the position as the Election Administrator.
Some notes from his discussion with the group included the reminder that Tennessee is ranked number one in election integrity and assured the gathering their vote is secure in Greene County, reminding them everything the office does is done in a bipartisan manner overseen by an election board. Even on election day, it’s the same way with a representative of both parties working the polling locations.
In November 2024, Greene County set a record for the most number of voters who cast the ballot in Greene County. And of the over 31,000 voters, nearly 20,000 did so during the two week early voting period. There are by the way about 45,000 registered voters in Greene County.
Reaves says it takes over 200 people on election day to fill in at the precincts. And with a change in the law in 2020, those age 16 and over are now allowed to serve on election day. He encouraged anyone 16 and above interested in the election process to contact his office for more information.
Reaves says the Election Commission will begin issuing petitions on December 22nd for the county primary election. February 19th at Noon will be the qualifying deadline. He recommends any potential candidate for office to pick up their petition early on or after the December date, get the required signatures of certified voters and turn it back into the office as soon as possible to have the petition checked. Also, if you’re running for office in 2026, Reaves reminds those persons to visit the office at any time even before time to pick up a petition in order to fill campaign finance form information as required.
Petitions for the state and federal primary elections will be issued beginning January 9th with March 10th at Noon the qualifying deadline.
In addition to the Primary Election in August, voting will also take place for the town of Baileyton, Greeneville and Mosheim.
The November 3rd election , the state and federal general, will also include the Town of Tusculum. Candidates interested in running in Tusculum may begin picking up their petitions June 22nd with August 20th as the qualifying deadline.
