How Tennessee's Primary Election Works

Tennessee uses an open primary election system. Registered voters may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary regardless of their party affiliation, but they may only participate in one party's primary during an election. State law requires voters to vote only in a primary if they are bona fide members of that party or intend to affiliate with it, though no party registration is required.

Tennessee does not hold primary runoff elections. Candidates only need to receive a plurality of the vote to win their party's nomination, meaning the candidate with the most votes advances to the November general election even if they do not receive an outright majority.