County Commission, District 3
August 6, 2026 · Hamilton County, Tennessee · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 17 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 376,192 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(919,173 ÷ 376,192) ÷ ln(919,173 ÷ 5,079) = 17.19, comparing counties in TN (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Low representation + an uncontested race → Very low vote impact.
County Commissioner is responsible for:
- Passing county rules and the county budget
- Setting property tax rates that fund county services
- Overseeing county departments such as roads, parks, and public health
- Deciding land use in areas outside city limits
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Ken Smith
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Ken Smith is Hamilton County Commissioner for District 3 and the Republican nominee for reelection in 2026.
Election sources
Source: elect.hamiltontn.gov
Source: elect.hamiltontn.gov