Cumberland County Election Commission Relocates After Fire

Early voting for the May 5 primaries will be held at a new temporary site.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:56pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space with a single desk and chair in the foreground, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the disruption caused by the fire.The relocation of Cumberland County's election offices after a devastating fire underscores the importance of contingency planning to protect the integrity of the electoral process.Crossville Today

The Cumberland County Election Commission has moved to a new temporary location after a fire caused major damage to their previous office. The new site is at 2876 North Main Street in Crossville, the former Lansford Kawaski building. Early voting for the May 5 primary elections will be held at this new location, while Election Day polling sites remain unchanged.

Why it matters

Ensuring the integrity and accessibility of elections is critical for a functioning democracy. This relocation ensures Cumberland County voters can still participate in the upcoming primary elections despite the fire damage to the election commission's usual offices.

The details

The fire broke out on March 26 at the Northside Lane building that housed the county's election commission, highway department and maintenance. Over 60 firefighters responded, but there was significant damage to the building and equipment inside. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, but is not believed to be suspicious at this time.

  • The fire occurred on March 26, 2026.
  • Early voting for the Cumberland County Primary Elections will be held from April 15-30, 2026.
  • Election Day for the Cumberland County Primary Elections is May 5, 2026.

The players

Cumberland County Election Commission

The government agency responsible for administering elections in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

Crossville Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the blaze at the election commission's previous offices.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The state law enforcement agency assisting in the investigation into the cause of the fire.

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What they’re saying

“The fire remains under investigation with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. South told 6 News that the cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time.”

— Chris South, Crossville Fire Chief

What’s next

Election officials will continue to monitor the investigation into the fire's cause and work to ensure a smooth voting process for the May 5 primary elections despite the relocation.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of having robust contingency plans in place to protect the electoral process, even in the face of unexpected challenges like natural disasters or infrastructure failures. Cumberland County's quick action to relocate the election commission offices will help maintain voter confidence and participation in the upcoming primaries.