Where can voters find polling places, early voting, and absentee ballot deadlines for the December 2, 2025 special election?
Executive summary
For the December 2, 2025 special election (most reporting identifies Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special general election on that date), voters should check official state and local election tools for polling places, early voting schedules, and absentee deadlines because those details are set by each state or county (Ballotpedia; Tennessee SOS) [1] [2]. National voter tools like Vote.org or state “Find My Polling Place” portals are commonly listed as the primary, up-to-date resources; aggregated calendars (U.S. Vote Foundation, Ballotpedia) can help with deadlines but do not replace local election officials [3] [4] [5].
1. Why you must consult local and state election offices — they set the rules
Every state and county controls where polls open, the early voting locations and hours, and the absentee-request/return deadlines for elections in their jurisdiction; national pages and calendars aggregate information but direct, authoritative answers come from state or county election pages such as the Tennessee Secretary of State’s special-election page and county election offices [2] [6]. Ballotpedia compiles schedules and identifies which special elections occur when (for example, Tennessee’s CD‑7 special election on Dec. 2), but it links back to official sources for precise local logistics [1].
2. Quick places to look right now for polling places and early-vote sites
Use these tools: Vote.org’s Polling Place Locator for a national lookup; state “Find My Polling Place” or “Citizen Portal” pages (examples: California SOS polling place lookup and Virginia’s polling-place lookup); or your county election office website or My Voter Portal where offered — these are the pages election officials keep current with precinct assignments and early-voting locations [3] [7] [6]. Ballotpedia and local city/county election pages also publish early-voting calendars and site lists when available [1] [5].
3. Absentee/mail ballot deadlines vary by place — aggregated tools help, but confirm locally
National deadline lists (Vote.org’s absentee-deadline page, U.S. Vote Foundation and Ballotpedia tables) show the range of state-by-state rules — for example, Vote.org posts absentee deadlines for all 50 states and Ballotpedia maintains request/return deadline tables — however those sources emphasize double-checking with the state or county election office to confirm exact cutoffs and whether a deadline is a postmark deadline or a received-by date [8] [9] [10] [11]. For the Tennessee special election in question, consult the Tennessee Secretary of State and your county election commission for precise absentee request and return deadlines [2].
4. Examples of how local jurisdictions publish specific dates
Some counties and cities publish full schedules tied to a particular December 2 election: Bonneville County (Idaho) posted an early in‑person voting window and an absentee‑request receipt cutoff for local runoffs tied to Dec. 2 (requests due by Nov. 21 and ballots returned by Dec. 2) — showing how local offices give concrete deadlines for a local December 2 contest [12]. Nashville’s election pages publish early-voting windows and explain absentee request rules for the U.S. House District 7 special general election on Dec. 2, 2025 [13] [14].
5. Timing and poll-hour guidance (what voters should expect on Election Day)
Poll opening and closing times are set by states and often by county; resources like The Green Papers collect reported poll closing times (e.g., reporting that polls for Tennessee’s Dec. 2 special election close at 7:00 p.m. CST) but remind readers that counties may set exact opening hours and some counties use vote centers allowing voting anywhere in-county during early voting or Election Day [15] [16]. Always verify hours for your assigned precinct or county vote center via your local elections office [16] [17].
6. Practical checklist for a voter ahead of Dec. 2
1) Look up your polling place or early‑voting sites using a state portal (e.g., “Find My Polling Place” pages) or Vote.org’s locator [7] [3]. 2) Check your county election office for the exact early‑voting schedule tied to the Dec. 2 contest (many counties publish start/end dates and site lists) [13] [12]. 3) Confirm absentee/mail ballot request and return deadlines with your state or county — aggregated lists exist, but local offices define whether a deadline is a postmark or received-by date [8] [10]. 4) Note poll hours for your precinct (some sources list typical closing times but county-specific rules apply) [15].
7. Limitations of the public, aggregated sources and why cross‑checking matters
Aggregators (Ballotpedia, U.S. Vote Foundation, Vote.org) compile reliable overviews and deadlines, but they advise voters to confirm with the official county or state elections office because local exceptions, last-minute changes, or different rules for military/overseas voters can alter deadlines or site availability [4] [5] [8]. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s special-election page exists for exactly this reason — to direct voters to county-level information for the CD‑7 special general election [2].
If you tell me your state and county or your street address, I can point to the specific state portal and county election office pages and the exact absentee-request and return deadlines the provided sources link to (current links include state “Find Your Polling Place” portals and county early‑voting pages cited above) [3] [7] [6] [13].