Absentee Voting

The League of Women Voters helps citizens to be informed voters. The elections in 2020, which will be held under the threat of a pandemic, are especially challenging and voters want to know more about all of their options for voting safely and securely. 

  • Are you an eligible absentee voter? You must:

    • Be a registered voter in your
    • Submit an application for a mail-in/absentee ballot 7-90 days before the election (August 5- October 27) to the county election
      • A separate request is needed for each election for which you cannot vote in
    • Meet the voter eligibility criteria. The most common reasons are that the voter is:
      • 60 years or older
      • Sick or disabled (which includes persons who have underlying medical or health conditions which in their determination render them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 or at greater risk should they contract )
      • A caretaker of someone who is sick or disabled (which includes persons who have underlying medical or health conditions which in their determination render them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 or at greater risk should they contract )
      • Outside of the county on both Early Voting and Election Days .
  • How do you get an absentee ballot?

    • Application forms and additional info can be found at GoVoteTN.com or by contacting your County Election Commission.
    • The signed application can be submitted by mail, faxed or scanned.
    • The Election Commission will mail the actual ballot back to you with instructions.
  • What happens next?

    • Return your completed ballot by mail to your County Election Commission so that it is received by the close of Election Day. Don’t put it off. Mail it early!
    • Worried that the Election Commission did not receive your mail-in ballot? Track the status of your own ballot at the Secretary of State’s voter lookup: https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/
  • What if you decide you would rather vote in person?

    If you do not receive your requested ballot, or choose not to use it after requesting it, and decide to vote in person, you must request a provisional ballot at the polls. Don’t leave the polling location without voting. Provisional ballots are saved separately by poll workers and will be counted after election staff verify that they did not receive a ballot through the mail from you.

     

    For more info about absentee and in-person voting, see www.lwvtn.org

     

    Still have questions? Check out additional Absentee Voting FAQs HERE

Don't get caught by deadlines!

Mail in your absentee ballot as soon as you receive it.

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