City Of Dickson Officials Ask State Lawmakers For More Flexibility In City Elections

Dickson, TN — The Dickson City Council unanimously approved a resolution on January 5, 2026 requesting changes to state law that would give the city more flexibility in how it conducts municipal elections.

Under the resolution, the city is asking the Tennessee General Assembly to amend state statutes to allow Dickson to either operate one polling location in each ward or use a single centralized polling location for city elections.

Since 2023, the election commission has required voters in city elections to cast ballots based on their county voting districts rather than city wards. According to the city, that requirement has created logistical challenges by forcing the use of two or three polling locations within each of the city’s four wards.

City officials say the current system increases both cost and complexity for municipal elections. The resolution argues that allowing ward-based polling locations or a centralized polling site would simplify election administration while still ensuring voters are able to cast ballots in city elections.

The resolution approved by the council has been forwarded to the city’s legislative delegation, formally asking state lawmakers to consider a change in state law that would give municipalities greater control over how city elections are conducted.

The council’s action does not change election procedures on its own. Any modification to polling location rules would require approval by the Tennessee General Assembly.

All votes related to the resolution were approved unanimously.

The City Council is scheduled to meet next at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2. Regular council meetings are broadcast on the Community Access Channel on Comcast 19.