Tennessee Voting Guide

Am I eligible to vote in Tennessee?

Your voting eligibility depends on whether you meet the following criteria:

• A citizen of the United States of America
• A resident of Tennessee
• At least 18 years of age on Election Day

The state government may suspend your right to vote if you were convicted of a disenfranchising crime such as voter fraud, treason, murder, or rape. 

According to Article 4 of the Tennessee Constitution, the state government may deny any person convicted of “infamous” crimes the right to vote. The legislature also established certain conditions related to the restoration of voting rights. The crime committed and the conviction sentence determines how to restore voting rights.

When is Tennessee’s voter registration deadline?

If you want to vote in an election, you must be officially registered to vote at least 30 days before that election. This applies to both general and local elections.

If you register by mail, you must postmark or hand deliver your application to the County Election Commission office 30 days before election day.

If you are a Tennessee voter unsure about your voter registration status, you can use this Voter Registration Lookup.

How do I file an absentee ballot request in Tennessee?

The Tennessee government permits two forms of absentee voting:

• In-person absentee voting (early voting)
• By-mail voting

If you are a registered voter, you can vote early and do not need to provide an excuse for doing so. The early voting period is generally 20 days before an election and often ends five days before the election. Find more information regarding early voting dates and locations at the County Election Commissions.

Tennessee does not permit no-excuse by-mail voting. You must meet certain criteria to vote by mail. Many categories can potentially make you eligible to vote by mail.

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s website lists the various criteria and the processes for obtaining and submitting a by-mail ballot. Make sure your absentee ballot by mail bears a watermark or it will get rejected. 

Where can I find a sample ballot for the upcoming Tennessee election?

You can find sample election ballots for upcoming elections in Tennessee on the Ballotpedia website.

What do I need to bring to the polling location for identification?

If you decide to vote in person, you must show a federal or state ID with your name and photograph. Some acceptable forms of voter ID are:

• Tennessee driver’s license with your photo
• U.S. passport
• U.S. Military photo ID
• Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
• Tennessee handgun carry permit

If you do not have an acceptable form of ID, you may be able to get a free photo ID at a driver service center. If you do not have your ID with you, you can cast a provisional ballot and then return to the polls within two days with your ID.

There are some exemptions to the photo ID requirement. You do not have to present a photo ID if:

• You vote by mail
• You are hospitalized
• You have a religious objection to being photographed

You can find more information about exemptions and regulations on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.

What special accommodations are available?

Polling places must provide reasonable accommodations to voters with disabilities. The specific accommodations can vary from one polling place to another. If you have questions regarding the accommodations in or accessibility of your local polling place, you should contact your local County Election Commission office.

If you want to file a complaint regarding polling place accessibility, you can submit either a Tennessee State Election Complaint form to your County Election Commission or a Title III Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Complaint form.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polling place?

If you witness illegal activity at the polls, report it to an election worker and your local County Election Commission. If you believe your ability to exercise your voting rights fully has been illegally limited, you may want to consider seeking the advice and assistance of an experienced legal professional.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Seek Legal Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Talk to a civil rights attorney if your right to vote has been violated.