The Roane County Election Commission voted unanimously during a special hearing on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to disqualify mayoral candidate Chevis Cox from the upcoming November 3 ballot.

City Councilwoman April Foust Wilson filed the formal challenge in August, alleging that Cox failed to meet the city charter’s requirement of maintaining a primary residence within Rockwood for the required one-year period. Wilson contended that Cox actually resides in Cumberland County, despite owning multiple properties in Rockwood.

During the nearly one-hour hearing at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston, Election Commissioner Charles Holloway testified that he investigated Cox’s claimed address on South Gateway Avenue and spoke with the property owner, who disputed that Cox lived there. Cox maintained under oath that he stayed at the residence periodically to assist the homeowner with medical needs.

With Cox removed from the race, incumbent Mayor Jason Jolly remains as the sole candidate for the Rockwood mayoral contest, as the qualifying deadline has passed. Early voting for the November 3 municipal, state, and federal elections is scheduled to run from October 14 through October 29.