RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) - Early voting for the August 6 State Primary and County General Election kicks off this Friday, July 17, 2026, and Rutherford County Election Administrator Alan Farley says the county is more than ready. Early voting will run straight through Saturday, August 1, giving residents more than two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of the Thursday, August 6, 2026, Election Day.

Farley reminds voters that things work a little differently here than in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Rutherford County uses the Vote Center model, meaning registered voters don’t report to a traditional neighborhood precinct. Instead, they simply vote at whichever Vote Center is closest to them when they’re ready to cast a ballot.

Farley often puts it in plain language: “We want voting to be easy. You vote at the location that’s closest to you when you’re ready to cast your ballot.”

That flexibility means if you live out in Kittrell but work in La Vergne, you can vote near your workplace. If you’re in Eagleville but find yourself shopping in Murfreesboro, you can vote while you’re in town. The goal is convenience, reduced confusion, and higher participation.

Rutherford County was selected years ago as Tennessee’s pilot county for the Vote Center model, and the trial proved successful. Although the system is now approved statewide, only a handful of counties have adopted it.

Farley notes that Vote Centers require real‑time voter verification, electronic poll books, strong countywide internet, and IT support across dozens of locations—resources many rural counties simply don’t have. Rutherford County’s rapid growth and solid infrastructure made it the ideal test case, and the model continues to work smoothly as the population climbs.

Location of VOTE CENTERS in Rutherford County

Christ Life Church - Smyrna

1004 Hazelwood Drive, Smyrna

• Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

LaVergne Multi-Purpose Building

5093 Murfreesboro Rd | Lavergne

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• Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

If you have questions, visit the Rutherford County Election Commission's website: https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/early-voting   or phone (615) 898-7743.