Smithville, Tennessee Public Records

For official records of business licenses and other commercial activities, the De Kalb County Clerk's Office (https://www.dekalbcountytn.com/county-clerk) maintains documentation accessible to the public.

Tennessee voters can register online at GoVoteTN.com, the official portal maintained by the Secretary of State, though in-person registration is also available at the commission office or any Driver Services Center. The deadline falls 30 days before any election. Registration requires either a Tennessee driver license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. At the polls, voters must present valid photo identification such as a Tennessee driver license, U.S. Passport, military ID, or a Tennessee photo ID issued specifically for voting purposes. The city holds municipal elections for Mayor and Board of Aldermen on staggered schedules, typically along with county general elections in August, with potential runoffs in November if no candidate receives a majority. Mayoral and aldermanic seats carry four-year terms. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting GoVoteTN.com and entering their address, or by calling the election commission directly. Public election records in Tennessee include voter registration lists, which are available for purchase by campaigns and political organizations under Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-2-116. Campaign finance disclosures are filed with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance for state candidates and with the De Kalb County Election Commission for local candidates. Candidate filings, petitions, and precinct-level results are published after each election. IOn November 3, 2026, county voters will decide several significant races. Tennessee does not have a U.S. Senate seat up that year, but voters will elect a Governor (Bill Lee's term expires, and either he or another candidate will run), all five seats in Tennessee's U.S. House delegation (De Kalb County is in the 6th Congressional District), and State Senate and State House seats for districts covering De Kalb County. County offices on the ballot include County Mayor/Executive, County Commissioners, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Trustee, and Assessor, along with any local ballot measures or city referendums. Absentee voting is available for specific reasons including age over 60, absence from the county during early voting and Election Day, illness or disability, caregiver responsibilities, work schedule conflicts on Election Day, and certain other circumstances. Applications are available from the commission and must be requested in advance. Early voting is offered at designated sites for approximately two weeks before each election, providing convenient access without requiring an excuse.