🏛️ Courthouse Corner: Tennessee's Early Vote Passes One Million, Rhea County Steps Out of Nuclear Campus Talks, Hamilton Fills a School Board Seat Tonight, and the State Helps Build a Bigger Airport Garage

Or: A Plain-English Wednesday Look at a Record-Pace Early Vote, a County That Said “No Thanks,” an Empty School Board Chair and Some State Money for Parking and Main Streets

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Some days the courthouse news comes in like a basket of eggs from the henhouse: a few big ones, a few small ones, and none of them anything to fret over. The state’s daily count shows 1,018,521 Tennesseans had voted early or absentee through Tuesday, and Sequatchie County is running nearly 39% ahead of 2022. Rhea County commissioners met Monday night and, WDEF News 12 reported, voted to stop pursuing a proposed federal nuclear campus. Tonight the Hamilton County Commission is set to appoint a new District 11 school board member. In Chattanooga, the City Council took up a $29.3 million budget amendment Tuesday, and the state added $9.25 million for a new parking garage at the Chattanooga Airport. And 14 Tennessee towns learned today they’re getting Downtown Improvement Grants.

Here’s what’s in this twenty-third Courthouse Corner in Plain English: the early vote by the numbers, county by county, Rhea County’s Monday decision, Hamilton County’s busy Wednesday night, Chattanooga’s Tuesday council meeting, the airport garage grant, the state’s Main Street money, and what we’re still waiting on, plus the week ahead.

We label each item Local (Sequatchie County or Dunlap), Neighbors (nearby counties) or Statewide/Federal. Facts come from local news reports, government websites and official notices, linked in each section. Items on an agenda have not been voted on until the vote happens. This is not an endorsement of any official, candidate or proposal, and we don’t tell anyone how to vote.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Early vote (Statewide + Local): 1,018,521 Tennesseans voted early or absentee through Tuesday, about 48% more than at this point in 2022. Sequatchie: 1,986. Thursday, Oct. 29, is the last day to vote early.
• Rhea (Neighbors): At a special called meeting Monday, commissioners voted to end the county’s pursuit of a proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, WDEF reported.
• Hamilton (Neighbors), tonight: The commission is set to appoint a District 11 school board member from six applicants, at a meeting that starts 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. our time).
• Chattanooga (Neighbors): A $29.3 million budget amendment from city reserves had its first vote scheduled Tuesday. The final vote is proposed for Nov. 3.
• State money (Statewide): $9,255,200 more for the Chattanooga Airport’s 1,600-space garage, and $3.9 million in Main Street grants for 14 towns, the closest in Cleveland and Etowah.
• Remember: Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1. Election Day is Tue., Nov. 3, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. in Sequatchie, at your assigned precinct, with a photo ID.

🗳️ Statewide and Local: Tennessee’s Early Vote Passes One Million, and Every County in Our Corner Is Running Ahead of 2022

Through Tuesday, Oct. 27, day 12 of 14, 1,018,521 Tennesseans had voted early or by absentee ballot, according to the Secretary of State’s daily turnout file as compiled by TN Firefly. That’s about 48% more than at the same point in 2022 (688,001) and about 12% fewer than in 2018 (1,161,100). 105,016 people voted on Tuesday alone. The total has already passed the 882,310 who voted early in all of 2022, and 94 of 95 counties are ahead of their 2022 pace.

Here’s our corner of the map, through Tuesday:

• Sequatchie (Local): 1,986 voters, up 38.9% from 1,430 in 2022. 217 voted on Tuesday.
• Bledsoe: 900, up 40.8%.
• Marion: 3,460, up 39.3%.
• Grundy: 1,238, up 26.7%.
• Van Buren: 723, up 11.1%.
• Rhea: 3,294, up 22.6%.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett told WJHL this week that early voting ends Thursday and “there’s still time.” He also noted that Tennessee’s voting machines produce a verified paper audit trail. In Sequatchie County, early voting runs 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday. On Election Day, Nov. 3, Sequatchie polls are open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. at your assigned precinct, the Dunlap Tribune reported. Bring a Tennessee or federal photo ID. An expired one is OK; a college student ID is not.

What it means for you: These numbers are a head count, not a scoreboard. Nobody’s ballot is counted for anyone until Election Day, and the tallies carry no party information. Think of it like counting cars in the church parking lot: you know the crowd is big, but you don’t know what anybody’s going to sing. If you planned to vote early, tomorrow is your last chance. If you’d rather wait for Nov. 3, look up your precinct now so you’re not guessing that morning.

👉 Read more (TN Firefly: Early-Voting Turnout by County, from state reports) · WJHL: Hargett Discusses Early Voting · Voter ID Requirements · GoVoteTN

⚛️ Neighbors: Rhea County Votes to Stop Pursuing a Proposed Nuclear Campus

The Rhea County Commission held a special called meeting Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Phil Swafford Building conference room. The agenda included a resolution to end Rhea County’s participation in preliminary discussions about a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, a federal Department of Energy concept that could include long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. WDEF News 12 reported that the commission voted to end its pursuit of the campus.

Some background: Rhea commissioners began discussing the idea in September. At the time, commissioners told NewsChannel 9 that they were gathering information, not endorsing a site, and the resolution under discussion said they could stop the conversation at any time. A number of residents spoke against the idea. District 2 Commissioner Stacy Harris later said the county’s involvement had been exploratory, and that any action would take an open meeting and a vote of the commissioners.

What it means for you: This is a case of a county looking over the fence at something and deciding to leave the gate shut. Nothing was ever built or approved. Monday’s vote takes Rhea County out of the early talks. If you live in Rhea and want the details, such as the exact vote count and wording, the county commission office or the meeting minutes, once they’re posted, will have the official record.

👉 Read more (WDEF: Rhea County Commission Ends Pursuit of Proposed Nuclear Campus) · NewsChannel 9: September background

🏫 Neighbors: Hamilton County Is Set to Fill a School Board Seat Tonight, Plus a List of Final Votes

The Hamilton County Commission meets tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Central), in Room 402 of the courthouse at 625 Georgia Ave. in Chattanooga. According to the county’s public notice, commissioners will fill the unexpired District 11 seat on the Hamilton County Board of Education by appointment, after the resignation of Jill Black. The term on the resolution runs to Aug. 31, 2028.

Local 3 News reported that six people applied: Erin Bolinger, Derek Anderson, Vanessa Jackson, Estar Murage, Sherri Ford and Esme Oehmig. Five took part in public panel interviews on Monday, Oct. 26. Commissioners are expected to pick a finalist and then hold a full vote.

Tonight’s regular meeting also brings final votes on items first reviewed Oct. 7, including:

• Cyber liability insurance from Arthur J. Gallagher, at an estimated $100,000 a year.
• Audio-visual equipment upgrades from One Diversified, not to exceed $504,459.49.
• A joint application with Chattanooga for a 2026 Justice Assistance Grant, adding $47,264 to the Sheriff’s Office equipment budget if it’s awarded.
• Accepting a state donation of eight HEPA air purifiers, valued at about $12,500, for the Health Department’s tuberculosis clinic.
• Appointments to the Juvenile Court Commission and sales of county-held delinquent-tax parcels.

Right after that, an agenda session previews the Nov. 4 meeting, including presentations on a Chattanooga Public Library update and data center ordinances from UT’s Center for Local Planning.

What it means for you: When someone leaves a school board early, filling the seat is like finding a substitute driver for the church van. Somebody has to keep the route running until the next regular election. If you have grandkids in District 11 schools, you’ll know tonight or tomorrow who’s speaking for them. The insurance item is the county’s version of locking the barn door: coverage in case of a computer break-in. Meetings stream on the county’s YouTube channel.

👉 Read more (Local 3 News: District 11 Interviews) · Regular Meeting agenda (PDF) · Agenda Session (PDF) · Meeting notices

🏙️ Neighbors: Chattanooga’s Council Takes Up a $29.3 Million Budget Amendment, With a Final Vote Proposed for Nov. 3

Tuesday’s Chattanooga City Council agenda included the first reading of a mid-year budget amendment that would spend $29,321,000 from General Fund reserves, with $26,439,000 of it going to capital projects. It also included $150,000 from the Bessie Smith Cultural Center’s building maintenance fund. The Chattanooga Journal reported that the final vote is proposed for Nov. 3, and the public can speak before that vote. Official minutes from Tuesday weren’t posted as of this writing.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda and in council discussion:

• The agenda included a $1,797,210 change order for the Riverview sewer overflow project, bringing that contract to $5,266,635.46.
• City economic development staff told the council they’re negotiating a “clawback” with Nippon Paint, which received tax incentives for an East Chattanooga plant. The company invested $52 million of a pledged $59 million, Chattanoogan.com reported. A tentative deal would have the company pay $1,057,600 and return 10 acres. Staff said the settlement isn’t final, and the council is due to act next week.

What it means for you: City reserves are a lot like the coffee can on the top shelf. A budget amendment is the council deciding how much to take down and what to spend it on, and it takes two votes before the money moves. A clawback is like getting part of your deposit back when the builder doesn’t finish the job. If you live or own property in Chattanooga and want a say, the Nov. 3 meeting is your chance.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Journal: Council to Vote on $29.3 Million From Reserves) · Chattanoogan.com: City Seeking Clawback From Nippon Paint · Council agenda, Oct. 27 (PDF)

✈️ Statewide: The State Adds $9.25 Million for a 1,600-Space Garage at the Chattanooga Airport

Chattanooga Airport officials announced Tuesday that the state has awarded an additional $9,255,200 for the airport’s new parking garage, bringing total state grants for the project to $22,325,313, Chattanoogan.com reported. The $35 million garage will add 1,600 parking spaces, and state money will cover about 95% of the cost. Airport President and CEO April Cameron thanked state partners, including State Senator Bo Watson, and said the airport keeps breaking passenger records.

What it means for you: If you’ve ever circled that lot in the dark hunting for a spot before an early flight, this is your news. For valley folks, the Chattanooga Airport is the closest place to catch a plane, and more parking should mean less hassle when you’re seeing off family or heading out for the holidays. The report didn’t give a completion date.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: State Awards Chattanooga Airport $9.25 Million for New Parking Garage)

🏪 Statewide: 14 Tennessee Towns Get Downtown Improvement Grants, the Closest in Cleveland and Etowah

Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced today that 14 Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns communities will share more than $3.9 million in Downtown Improvement Grants. The money is for building fronts, wayfinding signs, gateways and streetscapes, and each town has to put up a 25% match. The closest recipients to us are Cleveland ($300,000) and Etowah ($350,000). None of the Sequatchie Valley towns were on this year’s list.

What it means for you: A new storefront and good signs are like a fresh coat of paint on the front porch: they make folks want to stop and visit. To apply for this program, a town has to be designated as a Tennessee Downtowns or Tennessee Main Street community. If you own a downtown business and wonder whether your town could ever qualify, your city hall or chamber of commerce is a good place to ask.

👉 Read more (TNECD: Downtown Improvement Grant Recipients) · Chattanoogan.com: Cleveland Among Recipients

⏳ Still Waiting, and the Week Ahead

• Hamilton County’s results: The District 11 appointment and tonight’s votes will be decided after this article goes out.
• Chattanooga’s Tuesday votes: Official minutes weren’t posted when this was written. The budget amendment’s final vote is proposed for Nov. 3.
• Rhea County minutes: The official vote count and wording will be in the minutes, once posted.
• Local (Sequatchie): The Records Commission meets Thursday at 5:30 p.m., upstairs at the courthouse, 22 Cherry St. The school board’s next regular meeting is Mon., Nov. 2.

What it means for you: Government news is a lot like bread dough: some of it needs to sit overnight before it’s ready. We’ll pick up the results when they’re out.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County: News and Notices) · City of Dunlap

🗓️ Dates to Put on the Fridge

• Wed., Oct. 28 (tonight): Hamilton County Commission, 5 p.m. Eastern / 4 p.m. Central. District 11 school board appointment.
• Thu., Oct. 29: Last day of early voting (Sequatchie: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Sequatchie Records Commission, 5:30 p.m. Spencer zoning hearing, 5:30 p.m.
• Sat., Oct. 31: Scare on the Square, 5–7 p.m., Harris Park, Dunlap. Free.
• Sun., Nov. 1, 2 a.m.: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Mon., Nov. 2: Sequatchie County school board regular meeting.
• Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. in Sequatchie, at your assigned precinct. Bring a photo ID. Chattanooga City Council’s proposed final budget amendment vote.
• Wed., Nov. 4: Hamilton County Commission meeting.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 1–5 p.m.: Trail of Tears Commemorative Event, Coops Creek Commons, Dunlap.
• Wed., Nov. 11, 11:30 a.m.: Marion County Veterans Day Ceremony, American Legion Hall, South Pittsburg.
• Mon., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Sequatchie County Commission, courthouse.

✅ Your Courthouse Corner Checklist

• ✅ Voting early? Thursday is the last day. Sequatchie’s early site is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• ✅ Waiting for Nov. 3? Look up your precinct on GoVoteTN today and write it on the calendar.
• ✅ Put your photo ID where you’ll see it, like by the truck keys.
• ✅ Have family in Hamilton County’s District 11? Check tomorrow’s news for the new school board member.
• ✅ Chattanooga property owner? The Nov. 3 council meeting is your chance to speak on the budget amendment.
• ✅ Flying out of Chattanooga soon? The new garage isn’t open yet, so leave a little extra parking time.
• ✅ Saturday night before bed: set the clocks back one hour.

Practical rule: A head count isn’t a scoreboard. Early-vote numbers tell you how many folks showed up, not who’s ahead, so vote your own ballot and let the counting happen on Election Night.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Courthouse Glossary

• Special called meeting: A meeting held outside the regular schedule, usually for one or two specific items.
• Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus: A federal Department of Energy concept for a site that could handle several stages of nuclear fuel use, which could include long-term storage.
• Unexpired term: The time left on an office when someone leaves early. An appointee fills it.
• Regular meeting: The Hamilton County Commission’s formal voting meeting.
• Agenda session: A meeting where commissioners review items before the formal vote at the next meeting.
• First reading: The first of two votes a city council takes on an ordinance. It doesn’t take effect until the final reading passes.
• General Fund reserves: A city’s savings, set aside for emergencies and one-time needs.
• Change order: An official change to a construction contract, often adding work or cost.
• Clawback: When a government takes back some of a tax break or incentive because a company didn’t meet its promises.
• Matching funds: The share a town must pay itself to receive a grant, like the 25% match on Downtown Improvement Grants.
• Verified paper audit trail: A paper record of each vote that can be checked against the machine count.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do the early-vote numbers show who’s winning?

No. They only count how many people have voted. No ballot is counted for any candidate until Election Day, and the counts carry no party information.

When is the last day to vote early in Sequatchie County?

Thursday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, you vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, at your assigned precinct, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

What ID do I need to vote?

A Tennessee or federal photo ID, such as a driver’s license. An expired one is OK. College student IDs are not accepted. If you forget your ID, you can cast a provisional ballot and show your ID at the election office within two business days.

Was a nuclear site ever approved in Rhea County?

No. The county was only in preliminary discussions. WDEF reported that Monday’s vote ends the county’s pursuit of the campus. The official minutes will show the exact vote.

Who will be Hamilton County’s new District 11 school board member?

The commission is set to decide tonight. Six people applied, and five interviewed Monday. The appointee will serve the unexpired term.

Has Chattanooga approved the $29.3 million budget amendment?

Not finally. Tuesday was the first reading. The final vote is proposed for Nov. 3, and the public can speak before it.

Did any Sequatchie Valley town get a Downtown Improvement Grant?

Not this round. The closest recipients are Cleveland and Etowah. Only designated Tennessee Downtowns or Tennessee Main Street communities can apply.

When will the new airport garage open?

The announcement didn’t give a date. For updates, check the Chattanooga Airport’s website.

🔗 Other Resources

• TN Firefly: Early-Voting Turnout by County
• Tennessee Secretary of State: Voter ID Requirements
• GoVoteTN: sample ballots, polling places and hours
• Dunlap Tribune: State and Federal Election Is November 3
• WDEF: Rhea County Commission Ends Pursuit of Proposed Nuclear Campus
• Local 3 News: District 11 School Board Interviews
• Hamilton County Regular Meeting Agenda, Oct. 28 (PDF)
• Hamilton County YouTube (meeting livestreams)
• Chattanooga Journal: Council to Vote on $29.3 Million From Reserves
• Chattanoogan.com: Airport Garage Grant
• TNECD: Downtown Improvement Grant Recipients
• Sequatchie County: News and Notices
• Dunlap.Directory: free local business listings

🌿 Keep Learning, Stay Calm

Today’s courthouse news is mostly the steady kind: lots of neighbors turning out to vote, a county that looked into something and decided to pass, an empty school board chair about to be filled, and some state money for parking spaces and storefronts. None of it asks anything hard of you except one thing: if you’re voting early, Thursday is the last day. Write Thu., Oct. 29 and Tue., Nov. 3 on the fridge, and set the clocks back Saturday night. For more calm, practical Sequatchie Valley reporting, visit Dunlap.Today.