Official Sample Ballot – State & Federal General Election – November 3, 2026
SAMPLE
PROOFING SET
PROOFING SET
OFFICIAL BALLOT
State of Tennessee, Hamilton County
State and Federal General Election
November 3, 2026
State of Tennessee, Hamilton County
State and Federal General Election
November 3, 2026
BALLOT ID: G155
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER:
To vote you must darken the OVAL () to the right of your choice(s). To cast a Write-in vote for a person whose name is not on the ballot, you must darken the OVAL () to the right of the line provided, and write that name in the blank space.
Hamilton County Election Commission: Michael S. Walden, Chairman|Gene Shiles, Jr., Secretary|Ruth Braly|Chris Clem|Ardena Hicks
Governor
Vote for One (1)
Marsha Blackburn
Republican Party Nominee
Jerri Green
Democratic Party Nominee
Misam Abidi
Independent Candidate
Dean Brewer
Independent Candidate
Ray Brown
Independent Candidate
David Hatley
Independent Candidate
Wendell Jackson
Independent Candidate
Charles Van Morgan
Independent Candidate
Eddie Lee Murphy
Independent Candidate
Lauren Pinkston
Independent Candidate
Victor L. Scoggin
Independent Candidate
Dave Seeman
Independent Candidate
Karl Knox Smithson
Independent Candidate
L. Webb Taylor
Independent Candidate
Robert C. Vick
Independent Candidate
Write-in
Constitutional Amendment #1
Vote for One (1)
Summary:
This amendment changes Article I, section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution by allowing a court to hold a defendant without bail before trial when that defendant is accused of: an offense punishable by the death penalty, an act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any crime for which a convicted person would be required to serve eighty-five percent of their sentence. This amendment requires courts to state on the record the reasons for their decision to grant or deny bail in those cases.
Question:
Shall Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following:
That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident, or the presumption great. And the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion, the General Assembly shall declare the public safety requires it.
and substituting instead the following:
(a) All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties unless for the following when the proof is evident or the presumption great:
(1) A capital offense;
(2) An act of terrorism;
(3) Second degree murder;
(4) Aggravated rape of a child;
(5) Aggravated rape;
(6) Grave torture; and
(7) Any other offense for which, as of November 3, 2026, a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least eighty-five percent of the entire sentence imposed.
(2) An act of terrorism;
(3) Second degree murder;
(4) Aggravated rape of a child;
(5) Aggravated rape;
(6) Grave torture; and
(7) Any other offense for which, as of November 3, 2026, a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least eighty-five percent of the entire sentence imposed.
(b) In any case in which bail for an offense listed in subsection (a)
is granted or denied before conviction, the judge or magistrate shall place in the record the judge's or magistrate's reasons for granting or denying bail.
(c) The privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion, the General Assembly shall declare the public safety requires it.
Yes
No
Constitutional Amendment #2
Vote for One (1)
Summary:
This amendment adds text to Article II, section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution that prohibits the Legislature from imposing a State property tax on real, personal, or mixed property.
Question:
Shall Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following language from the first sentence:
In accordance with the following provisions, all property real, personal or mixed shall be subject to taxation, but the Legislature
and substituting instead the following:
In accordance with the following provisions, all property real, personal, or mixed shall be subject to taxation, but the Legislature shall not levy, authorize, or otherwise permit any state tax upon such property, and the Legislature
Yes
No
Constitutional Amendment #3
Vote for One (1)
Summary:
This amendment changes Article I, section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution by clarifying existing rights for crime victims and adding new rights. The amendment gives victims new rights: to fair treatment; to be informed about and participate in the parole process; to be protected from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; to be informed of the minimum sentence the convicted criminal will serve, as well as their scheduled release date; and to have their safety, their family's safety, and the public's safety taken into account before any decision is made to release the convicted criminal. The amendment also maintains or clarifies victims' existing rights: to be informed about legal proceedings involving the accused or convicted criminal; to be present at public criminal proceedings; to be informed of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted criminal; to talk to prosecutors; to make statements about conviction, sentencing, or release of the accused person; to a speedy resolution of the case; to restitution from the convicted criminal; and to be informed of their rights. The amendment does not restrict the powers of prosecutors or courts and does not create a cause of action or claim for damages against the State of Tennessee.
Question:
Shall Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the section in its entirety and substituting the following:
Section 35. That to preserve and protect the rights of victims of crime to justice and due process throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems, a victim, as defined by law and which may be expanded by the General Assembly, shall have the following rights, which shall be protected:
(1) The right to be treated with fairness for the victim's safety and dignity;
(2) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
(3) The right to be present at all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
(4) The right upon request to be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole, as well as any public proceeding when relevant during which a right of the
(2) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
(3) The right to be present at all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
(4) The right upon request to be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole, as well as any public proceeding when relevant during which a right of the
victim is implicated;
(5) The right to be heard and informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender;
(6) The right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system, including reasonable protection, as defined by the General Assembly, from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused;
(7) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person;
(8) The right to full and timely restitution from the offender;
(9) The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence;
(10) The right to be informed of the minimum sentence the offender will serve in custody and the scheduled release date;
(11) The right to have the safety of the victim, the victim's family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made;
(12) The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution; and
(13) The right to be fully informed of all rights afforded to crime victims.
(5) The right to be heard and informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender;
(6) The right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system, including reasonable protection, as defined by the General Assembly, from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused;
(7) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person;
(8) The right to full and timely restitution from the offender;
(9) The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence;
(10) The right to be informed of the minimum sentence the offender will serve in custody and the scheduled release date;
(11) The right to have the safety of the victim, the victim's family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made;
(12) The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution; and
(13) The right to be fully informed of all rights afforded to crime victims.
A victim may assert the rights enumerated in this section, not as a party, but in the manner further provided by the General Assembly protecting the victim's right to standing. The General Assembly has the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to further define, implement, preserve, and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section. This section must be interpreted to preserve and protect the rights of all persons to due process. This section, or any law enacted under this section, does not create a basis for vacating a conviction. This section does not restrict the powers of the District Attorney General or the inherent authority of the court.
Other than as provided in the preceding paragraph, this section does not create a cause of action or claim for damages against the state or a political subdivision of the state; an officer, employee, or agent of the state or of any of its political subdivisions; or an officer or employee of the court.
Yes
No
United States Senate
Vote for One (1)
Bill Hagerty
Republican Party Nominee
Marquita Bradshaw
Democratic Party Nominee
Tharon Chandler
Independent Candidate
Andrew Gerena
Independent Candidate
Jeremy Dean Hearn
Independent Candidate
Robert Jones
Independent Candidate
James William Macon III
Independent Candidate
Yoshi D. Matthews
Independent Candidate
David Sutman, Jr.
Independent Candidate
Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson
Independent Candidate
Write-in
United States House of Representatives, District 3
Vote for One (1)
Chuck Fleischmann
Republican Party Nominee
Anna Golladay
Democratic Party Nominee
Dean Arnold
Independent Candidate
Jean Howard-Hill
Independent Candidate
Rodney Joe King
Independent Candidate
Donnie Lynn Ownby
Independent Candidate
Edward John Roland
Independent Candidate
Write-in
Tennessee Senate, District 11
Vote for One (1)
Bo Watson
Republican Party Nominee
Tim Roberts
Democratic Party Nominee
Write-in
Tennessee House of Representatives,
District 26
District 26
Vote for One (1)
Greg Martin
Republican Party Nominee
Write-in
Tennessee House of Representatives,
District 27
District 27
Vote for One (1)
Michele Reneau
Republican Party Nominee
Paige Quirin
Democratic Party Nominee
Write-in
Tennessee House of Representatives,
District 28
District 28
Vote for One (1)
Yusuf A. Hakeem
Democratic Party Nominee
Demetrus "Meechie" Coonrod
Independent Candidate
Johnny Horne
Independent Candidate
Write-in
Tennessee House of Representatives,
District 29
District 29
Vote for One (1)
Greg Vital
Republican Party Nominee
Ryan V. Scofield
Democratic Party Nominee
Write-in
Tennessee House of Representatives,
District 30
District 30
Vote for One (1)
Esther Helton Haynes
Republican Party Nominee
Art Rymer
Democratic Party Nominee
Write-in
City of Collegedale Municipal
Commissioner
Vote for Two (2)
Bryan Barrett
Jessica Fields
Volker Henning
Tonya Sadler
Christopher Twombley
Write-in
Write-in
City of East Ridge Municipal
Mayor
Vote for One (1)
Brian Williams
Write-in
City of East Ridge Municipal
City Council
Vote for Two (2)
Robert (Bob) Gilreath
James L. C. Meyers
Caroline Rossman
David Tyler
Marty Von Schaaf
Write-in
Write-in
City Court Clerk
Vote for One (1)
Patricia E. Cassidy
Misty D. Chauncey
Write-in
City of East Ridge Municipal
Charter Amendment 1
Vote for One (1)
Shall the second paragraph of Section 5-A of the East Ridge City Charter be amended by removing benefits as part of the available compensation to Councilmembers and the Mayor and instead require that all costs related to such City benefits be the responsibility of the respective Councilmember or Mayor and at no cost to the City, such that, if approved, the second paragraph of Section 5-A would read as follows:
The Mayor and the other four (4) Councilmembers are to be compensated as follows: Effective on the 1st day of July, 2009, the Mayor shall receive a salary of Twelve Thousand Dollars per year and each of the other four (4) Councilmembers shall receive a salary of Seventy-two Hundred Dollars per year, said salaries to be paid in equal monthly installments. Following such effective date, the salary to be provided to the Mayor, and the salaries to be provided to the Councilmembers as a body, may be adjusted only by referendum. Compensation of the Mayor and Councilmembers shall not be adjusted during their current term of office. Councilmembers and the Mayor, including their dependents, may elect to participate in the City's benefit programs but all costs related to such benefits shall be the sole responsibility of the respective Councilmember or Mayor, and at no cost to the City. The Mayor and Councilmembers shall otherwise be entitled to their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties of office.
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
The proposed charter amendment will have no fiscal impact upon the city.
Diane Qualls,
City Finance Director
Diane Qualls,
City Finance Director
For the amendment
Against the amendment
City of Lakesite Municipal
Commissioner
Vote for Two (2)
Wayne Behlau
Jessica Dobosh
Michelle Wilson
Write-in
Write-in
City of Red Bank Municipal
Commissioner
Vote for Three (3)
Hollie Berry
Chad Bullard
Jamie Fairbanks-Harvey
David R. Smith
Write-in
Write-in
Write-in
Charter Referendum
Vote for One (1)
Shall the Home Rule Charter of the City of Red Bank Tennessee be updated and amended, as recommended by the Charter Review Citizens Advisory Board and the City Commission as follows:
Substitute the 2026 state statute version of the Uniform Manager Commission (City) Charter as provided in TCA Section 6-18-101 - 6-22-130, in place of the outdated 2000 version thereof, but retaining existing home rule amendments:
i. Maintain the name of "CITY OF RED BANK";
ii. Providing for the City Court and Red Bank City Judge to continue to have concurrent jurisdiction with the General Sessions Court for criminal matters; establishing an eight (8) year term of
ii. Providing for the City Court and Red Bank City Judge to continue to have concurrent jurisdiction with the General Sessions Court for criminal matters; establishing an eight (8) year term of
City of Red Bank Municipal
office for the City Court Judge and for the election of the City Court Judge in August of applicable years coincident with the County General Election and Statewide Election of all Judges;
iii. Continuing to provide for a Charter Review Committee to be convened every five (5) years;
iv. Continuing to provide a procedure for the potential of recall elections for elected Commissioners of the City of Red Bank;
v. Affirming Ordinances annexing certain territories abutting Signal Mountain Road and Mountain Creek Road first enacted circa 1956 and 1957.
iii. Continuing to provide for a Charter Review Committee to be convened every five (5) years;
iv. Continuing to provide a procedure for the potential of recall elections for elected Commissioners of the City of Red Bank;
v. Affirming Ordinances annexing certain territories abutting Signal Mountain Road and Mountain Creek Road first enacted circa 1956 and 1957.
But deleting three existing Home Rule amendments:
i. Establishing three (3) geographical commission voting districts and two (2) at large city commission seats (enacted 1978) as having been legislatively overruled;
ii. Providing for residency requirements for certain City employees;
iii. Which make any reference to "Justice of the Peace" as being able to substitute for the City Court Judge.
ii. Providing for residency requirements for certain City employees;
iii. Which make any reference to "Justice of the Peace" as being able to substitute for the City Court Judge.
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The proposed charter amendment will have no fiscal impact upon the city.
Kris Pickel, CMFO
Chief Financial Officer
Kris Pickel, CMFO
Chief Financial Officer
For the amendment
Against the amendment
City of Ridgeside Municipal
Commissioner
Vote for Three (3)
Nicole Budd
Liz Doescher
Shawn Ryan
Robert E. Steel, III
Write-in
Write-in
Write-in
Town of Signal Mountain Municipal
Town Council
Vote for Four (4)
P. Andrew Coyle
Clay Crumbliss
John Foreman
Chris Gailmard
Scott Gossett
J. Miles Jorgensen
Laura Malone
Rufus Marye
Austin Scofield
Jami Wolbers
Write-in
Write-in
Write-in
Write-in
City of Soddy Daisy Municipal
Commissioner
Vote for Two (2)
Jay Branum
Marcus Keith
Mark Penney
Write-in
Write-in
Town of Walden Municipal
Alderman
Vote for One (1)
Angela Cassidy
Write-in
General Obligation
Bond Referendum
Bond Referendum
Vote for One (1)
Shall the Town of Walden, Tennessee, issue indebtedness up to a maximum amount of $1,400,000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition of land known as the "Totten Tract?
For
Against