Voters across Tennessee's 7th Congressional District are heading to the polls today in a crucial special election to decide who will represent them in the United States House of Representatives. The seat became vacant after the Republican incumbent, Mark Green, resigned from his position.
Polling Details and Key Candidates
Polling will conclude at 7:00 PM Central Time (8:00 PM Eastern Time) on Thursday, December 2. All polling centres will close their gates at this time. However, any voter who is already in the queue by 7 PM will be allowed to cast their ballot. Approximately 466,000 registered voters are eligible to participate in this election, which covers major areas including Clarksville, Franklin, and parts of Nashville.
The race features two main contenders. The Republican Party nominee, Matt Vap Epps, aims to secure the conservative voter base that previously supported Mark Green. Challenging him is the Democratic Party candidate, Aftyn Behn, who hopes to flip this traditionally Republican stronghold.
How to Vote: Polling Stations and Mail-in Ballots
Registered voters can find their assigned polling station by visiting the official website GoVoteTN. By entering their residential address on the site, they will be directed to their nearest voting location.
Tennessee does accept mail-in ballots, but they must be sent by Election Day, Tuesday. It is critical that these ballots reach the election offices by the time polls close on Tuesday; otherwise, they will not be counted.
Implications for the Republican Party
Despite this being a seat held by a Republican, political analysts are forecasting a highly competitive contest. A recent poll conducted by Emerson College revealed a narrow lead for Republican candidate Matt Vap Epps, who was favoured by just 2 percentage points over his Democratic rival Aftyn Behn.
The poll also indicated that 5% of voters remain undecided, meaning their choices could ultimately determine the outcome of this tight race.
A loss for the Republican Party here would be a significant embarrassment, given that Tennessee is considered a reliably red state. This comes after Democrat Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York, despite strong opposition from former President Donald Trump and his supporters. A Democratic win in this Republican bastion would likely cause GOP leaders to question whether Trump's declining approval ratings are damaging their electoral prospects, especially with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon.
