Washington Co. voters show up for 2026 primary

Voters across Washington County's 15 districts lined up to cast their ballots in the 2026 May primary election. With only four contested races — general sessions judge, public defender, and District 2 and District 4 county commissioners — election officials have predicted lower-than-usual voter turnout for the 2026 primary. Even still, many Washington County residents made an appearance at the polls Tuesday. "If you don't vote, you don't have a voice," 69-year-old Martha Hampton said before voting inside her precinct, Freedom Hall. Hampton has voted in every election since she was 18 years old. She said the economy and government spending are the most important political issues to her. Elizabeth Mason, 74, is a retired Johnson City resident. She cast her ballot at the Freedom Hall precinct Tuesday and said government stability, healthcare and education were among the most important issues to her. "I just want us to be all that I know that we can be," Mason said. "There were many women who suffered about 100 years ago to get this right for me and other women to vote, so I'm going to exercise that." "I want to set a good example for younger women," Mason said. Retired attorney Mike Davenport, 74, also headed out to vote at the Freedom Hall precinct. He said he was most interested in the countywide and judicial races. "A lot of the races that I'm interested in will affect a lot of people in this area very directly," Davenport said. "Those are important places and positions for us." One of the few contested countywide races is for the Republican general sessions judge nomination between Steve Darden and the current judge, Will Monk. Outside the precinct at Woodland Elementary School in Johnson City, two campaigners supporting either judge candidate waved their signs proudly and greeted incoming voters. Anne Darden, 62, went out to support her husband Steve Darden for the Republican nomination for Washington County general sessions judge. While her and other campaigners try to have a presence at every precinct, she said she came to Woodland because their children attended the school. "Somehow he manages to be a great husband and father and also lawyer and partner for his law firm, for his law partners, and a great community leader all at the same time," Anne Darden said. As a community member, Anne Darden said that public education, support for teachers and smart growth are huge issues for her. "I think that what we have at Johnson City is rare, and we have to protect it," she said. "It is a place where I think people do feel a sense of community, regardless of race, gender, etcetera." Theresa Vance, 68, is a longtime Johnson City resident. She came to Woodland, her precinct, to campaign for Monk, who has served as general sessions judge since he was appointed last year. "His experience with juvenile court, mental health court, drug court, family court and criminal court makes him the perfect judge to continue this position," Vance said. Vance added that she likes Monk because he's not a politician and hasn't sought out other elected roles. Ultimately, she thinks the person with the most experience in the court system should have the job. "His passion is for general sessions court," Vance said. "We were lucky enough to get him in the appointment, and I just pray that the voters will continue on and keep him today." Early voting in Washington County fell 27% from 2022, according to election data. Of early voters this year, 84.3% cast Republican ballots and 15.7% cast Democrat ballots. Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Final total voter turnout figures for the 2026 primary election were not released by press time.