Area of Focus: Voter Services

“Voting is not only our right; it is our power.” Loung Ung, Human Rights Activist

Voter Resources

  • Register to vote, find your polling place (your voting location), find out what and who is on the ballot:
    • Vote411.org – Website, nationwide resource provided by LWV
    • GoVoteTN.com – Download app, specific to Tennessee

Voter Eligibility for Tennessee

  • U.S. Citizen
  • 18 years of age or older on or before the next election
  • Resident of Tennessee
    • Only 1 legal residence is allowed:
      • If homeless, provide shelter address or name of street and description of area
    • NO previous felony conviction – eligibility depends on crime and date of conviction. For more information – tn.gov/restoration 1-877-850-4959.

Voter Registration

  • Register 30 days or more before election day:
    • Online- (see above Voter Resources), Federal Form (paper) or State Form (paper).
  • All forms require:
    • Full name
    • Social security number
    • Place of birth (city& state)
    • Complete residential address
    • Prior voter registration information if any
    • Felony conviction information

Casting Your Vote

  • Vote early if possible
  • If voting on election day, make sure you know your polling location
  • Bring your government issued ID, required
  • Bring your voter registration card (optional)
  • Know when to ask for a provisional ballot (see below)

Absentee Ballots

  • Cannot be used for first time voters unless you were registered to vote by an election commission official
  • Must be requested between 90 and 7 days prior to election day
  • A written request must be submitted to your local county election commission office by mail, fax or email. You may use the absentee ballot request formhttps://sos.tn.gov/elections/services/absentee-voting
  • Absentee ballot must reach the Election Commission via mail by close of election day.

Requirements for Casting an Absentee Ballot

  • You are age 60 or older
  • You are hospitalized, ill, or physically disabled and unable to appear at your polling place to vote. A physician’s statement is not required to check this box
  • You are the caretaker of, or live with a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled. A physician’s statement is not required to check this box
  • You will be outside the county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day
  • You or your spouse are enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration
  • You reside in a licensed facility providing relatively permanent domiciliary care, other than a penal institution, outside your county of residence
  • You will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror for a federal or state court
  • You have a physical disability and an inaccessible polling place
  • You are a candidate for office in the election
  • You serve as an election day official or as a member or employee of the election commission
  • Your observance of a religious holiday prevents you from voting in person during the early voting period and on Election Day
  • You or your spouse possess a valid commercial driver’s license and certify that you will be working outside the state or county of registration during the early voting period and all day on Election Day
  • You are a member of the military or an overseas citizen
  • You are on the permanent absentee list

Common Reasons for Casting a Provisional Ballot

  • If you claim to be registered to vote but are not on the list, you may ask to voter by a provisional ballot. If your vote is cast in the correct polling precinct and it is later determined that you do meet the voting requirements, your provisional ballot will be counted.
  • Voter does not have identification as required by state. Voter must later provide the required identification
  • Voter’s identity and/or eligibility to vote has been challenged by a poll-worker or election official

Provisional ballots are counted within 4 business days after Election Day.

What You Can Do

  • Join the League of Women Voters Nashville to support voter registration and education. Anyone 16 and older can join. Click here to become a member. 

The above information has been compiled from the League of Women Voters Website, The Secretary of State for TN Voter Registration Drive Training, Projectvote.org and the TN Voter Registration Document. Revised 12/9/21