WHAT IS A PRIMARY ELECTION?

A Primary Election is a nominating election. Voters that vote in a Primary Election consider themselves Republicans or Democrats- there are no Primary Elections for Independents. In order to vote in the primary, for either party, you will be required to choose which party primary you wish to vote in on your voter application. Tennessee has two recognized parties – the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Tennessee holds “Open Primaries”. 

You are not registered as a member of any party and may vote as your current party allegiance allows. 

“A registered voter is entitled to vote in a primary election for offices for which the voter is qualified to vote at the polling place where the voter is registered if: 

1. The voter is a bona fide member of and affiliated with the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote; or 

2. At the time the voter seeks to vote, the voter declares allegiance to the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote and states that the voter intends to affiliate with that party.” TCA §2-7-115 (b) 

Winning the party’s nomination in a Primary Election is the first step in the election process. It narrows the field in a political party to one individual for a specific office. The winner of the Wilson County party primary in March will be on the County General ballot in August and the winner of the State and Federal party primary in August will be on the general election ballot in November representing their party.