How independent candidates get on the ballot

Two different paths to November

In Tennessee, candidates reach the November ballot in one of two ways:

• Through a party primary. Democratic and Republican candidates run against each other in August. The winners become their party's nominees for November.
• As an independent. Independent candidates skip the primary entirely. They gather the required signatures, file the paperwork by the deadline, and go straight onto the general election ballot.

So the November ballot regularly includes candidates who appeared on no primary ballot.

Signatures and filing fees

Ballot access rules vary by office. For example, a U.S. Senate candidate in Tennessee needs 25 signatures on a qualifying petition and pays no filing fee. That is a low bar by state standards.

Why this matters for voters

If you only look at your August primary ballot, you may be surprised in November. Between August and November, the state adds every independent candidate who qualified, plus any recognized write-in candidates. Check your November sample ballot the week it becomes available.