If you are a Republican voter, do you consistently vote in statewide Republican primaries? Statewide primaries are held for U.S. Senate, President, and Tennessee Governor elections. Before you file your qualifying petition, you should verify your voting history. This is a key component to demonstrate that you are a ‘bona fide’ Republican.

Republican Voting History Requirements Summarized from TN GOP Bylaws

• You must be registered to vote in the district.
• You must not have voted for a non-Republican in the most recent four statewide primaries.
• You must have voted in three of the four most recent statewide Republican primary elections.

For primary elections in May and August of 2026, the pertinent dates are:

August 1, 2024 – Senate primary

March 5, 2024 – Presidential primary

August 4, 2022 – Gubernatorial primary

August 6, 2020 – Senate primary

Every candidate who wishes to run as a Republican candidate should check their own voting history. You can do so through the local county election commission office. If you have moved to your current address since August 2020, you may need to request your voting records from the election commission or administration in your previous county or state. This can take some time, so you need to request your record sooner rather than later.

Upon filing petitions and required registration fees to the state Republican party, your voting history will be reviewed by TN GOP. Your eligibility for a waiver will also be reviewed.  If you are not eligible for a waiver, you will then be notified by the state party along with any instructions for an appeal.

Other things you can do to prepare for a run for office:

1. Review the Secretary of State’s website (sos.tn.gov) for Qualifications for Elected Offices.
2. Check the Tennessee Secretary of State Key Dates for 2026 Election Cycle for the qualifying periods for the office in which you intend to run.
3. Study the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Requirements available on the tn.gov/becf website
4. If running as a Republican, review bylaws posted on the TNGOP.org website. No local (county) party approval is necessary, but other requirements are listed in Article IX of the bylaws.

Then, you’re all set to go to your local county elections commission beginning on December 22nd to collect signatures from registered voters in your district.

Wishing you all the best for a Merry Christmas and in the busy election year ahead!