Here’s how Tipton compares and what to know before you vote today.
Tipton County voters head to the polls today after 11,127 of them cast ballots early, 31% more than during early voting for the 2022 midterm, according to Tennessee Secretary of State data.
That’s 27.66% of the county’s 40,229 registered voters, a little above the statewide early turnout rate of 27.06%. Tipton ranked 15th among Tennessee’s 95 counties by percentage of registered voters and 22nd by total votes.
Up from 2022, down from 2018
In the 2022 midterm, 8,474 Tipton County voters cast early ballots. In 2018, 13,019 did, according to the TN Firefly turnout tracker. This year’s total falls between the two, about 15% below 2018.
The county’s voter rolls have grown less than 2% since 2022, so growth in registered voters accounts for little of the increase. Early turnout rose from 21.43% of registered voters in 2022 to 27.66% this year. In 2018, it was 35.37%.
Tipton County early votes, full 14-day period
Sources: Tennessee Secretary of State (2026); TN Firefly turnout tracker (2018, 2022).
The state grew faster
Across Tennessee, 1,280,642 people voted early, up 45% from 882,310 in 2022. Tipton’s 31% increase trailed that pace, though its turnout rate still finished slightly above the state’s.
How Tipton compares
Tipton finished fifth among West Tennessee’s 21 counties, behind Shelby (31.77%), Fayette (29.16%), Weakley (28.15%) and Haywood (28.11%). Lauderdale finished at 25.95%.
Among the 20 Tennessee counties with 30,000 to 55,000 registered voters, Tipton ranked sixth. Loudon led that group at 36.66%.
Statewide, Williamson County had the highest early turnout at 38.72%, and Hancock County had the lowest at 11.85%. The median county finished at 22.16%.
Early turnout in West Tennessee counties
Early votes as a share of registered voters. Source: Tennessee Secretary of State, Day 14 turnout report.
The last day was the busiest
On Thursday, Oct. 29, 1,306 people cast ballots, the most of any day and about 64% more than the daily average of 795. Wednesday’s 963 votes were the second-highest. Through the first two weeks, weekday totals stayed between 691 and 848.
The final day accounted for 11.7% of Tipton’s early vote, the same share as statewide.
The two Saturdays, when sites were open only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., were the slowest days, with 396 votes on Oct. 17 and 515 on Oct. 24. Even so, Saturdays drew a larger share of the vote in Tipton than in most counties: 8.2% of the county’s early ballots, compared with 6.3% in the typical county and 7.6% statewide.
What it could mean for the final count
Early votes made up about 56% of all Tipton County ballots in 2022 and about 66% in 2018, based on TN Firefly’s early voting totals and final turnout figures from the Secretary of State.
If this year’s early vote makes up a similar share, a Paper Folds News calculation puts the final count between about 16,800 and 19,900 voters, or roughly 42% to 50% of registered voters. That would be higher than 2022’s final turnout of 38.32% and lower than 2018’s 53.35%.
How many voters wait until Election Day changes from one election to the next, so the final number could land outside that range.
What’s on the ballot
Tipton County ballots include races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the state House, three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution and municipal races that vary by town. Brighton voters will also decide three referendums on retail package stores, liquor by the drink and a local sales tax increase.
For a constitutional amendment to pass, it needs more yes votes than no votes, and the yes votes must equal a majority of all votes cast in the governor’s race. Skipping an amendment does not count as a no vote, but it makes the required total harder to reach.
Before you go
Hours
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Anyone in line when polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Where to vote
On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. The early voting sites, the Election Commission office in Covington and First Baptist Church Atoka, are not Election Day polling places. If you’ve moved, make sure you go to the polling place for your current address.
Tipton County has nine Election Day polling places, one in each of the county’s nine voting districts. Not sure of your district? Look up your polling place and personal sample ballot at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup or GoVoteTN.
What to bring
Bring a photo ID issued by the federal government or the State of Tennessee. It’s fine if it’s expired. Accepted IDs include:
- Tennessee driver’s license with your photo
- U.S. passport
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- U.S. military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
College student IDs and photo IDs issued by other states or by cities won’t work.
If you don’t have an accepted ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. For it to count, you must show a valid photo ID at the Election Commission office, 113 E. Church St. in Covington, within two business days after the election.
At the polls
A poll worker will check your ID and check you in. You’ll sign a ballot application and the signature list, then go to a voting machine, where the machine operator will pull up your ballot.
You don’t have to vote in every race. “If you don’t want to vote in a particular race, skip it,” the Tipton County Election Commission’s website says.
The last screen lets you review your choices. Once you press the red “Cast Vote” button, your ballot is final and can’t be changed, so ask a poll worker any questions before then.
You may have anyone you choose help you vote, except a candidate. If you ask a poll worker for help, workers from both parties will assist.
State law requires polling places and the 100-foot area around them to stay campaign-free. That includes shirts, hats and buttons supporting a candidate or ballot question.
After you vote
Already voted? Paper Folds News’ reader exit survey takes about three minutes and doesn’t ask for your name. Survey results won’t be shared until polls close at 7 p.m. Find it at paperfoldsnews.com/votetipton/exit-poll.html.
Polls close at 7 p.m., and results aren’t expected until after 8 p.m. Follow live returns for every Tipton County race, with a precinct-by-precinct map, at paperfoldsnews.com/votetipton/November2026, and watch the Paper Folds News Facebook page for updates once results start coming in.
Questions
Call the Tipton County Election Commission at 901-476-0223 or email election@tiptonco.com. Paper Folds News’ voter guide, with candidate answers, amendment explainers and the Brighton referendums, is at paperfoldsnews.com/votetipton.
Sources: Tennessee Secretary of State, Day 14 turnout report, via the Paper Folds Tennessee Turnout Feed; Tennessee Secretary of State election statistics; TN Firefly turnout tracker (2018 and 2022 early vote totals). Turnout range calculated by Paper Folds News. Election Day rules: Tipton County Election Commission; WBBJ and WSMV reporting on Tennessee law.
