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Key Election Dates
State and Federal General Election
Find important information to help you cast your ballot!
Got questions? We've got answers?
Early voting times and locations vary by county. Find early voting dates, times, and locations in your county.
If voting in-person on Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location unless your county has vote centers. Find your assigned Election Day polling location in your county.
Voters must show a TN state or federal ID with their name and photo when voting at the polls. The following are acceptable forms of photo ID - even if expired:
- TN driver license or TN state ID with your photo
- U.S. Passport
- Photo ID issued by TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by federal or TN state government
- U.S. Military photo ID
- TN handgun carry permit with your photo
Yes. However, if you are a first-time voter who registered to vote by mail or online, and your photo ID is expired, you must also present one of the following when voting at the polls:
- Copy of a current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document that shows your name and address
If you are an indigent voter and unable to obtain ID, or if you have a religious objection to being photographed, you can sign an affidavit of identity and vote.
Voters can request an absentee ballot for the following reasons:
- You are sixty (60) years of age or older.
- You will be outside the county where you are registered during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
- 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 a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled. A physician’s statement is not required to check this box.
- You or your spouse are a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county where you are registered.
- You reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility or home for the aged outside your county of residence.
- You are a candidate for office in the election.
- You are observing a religious holiday that prevents you from voting in person during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- You serve as an Election Day official or as a member or employee of the election commission.
- You will be unable to vote in-person due to jury duty.
- You have a physical disability and an inaccessible polling place.
- You or your spouse possess a valid commercial drivers license (CDL) or Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and you will be working outside the state or county of registration during the open hours of early voting and Election Day and have no specific out-of-county or out-of-state address to which mail may be sent or received during such time.
- You are a member of the military or are an overseas citizen.
- You are on the permanent absentee list.
Anyone that requests and receives an absentee ballot will be expected to vote absentee. If you reside in a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, home for the aged, or an independent living facility on the same property as a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or home for the aged inside your county of residence, you may not vote absentee by-mail. Election officials will come to the facility to vote eligible residents, or you may vote during early voting or on Election Day.
- Step 1: Complete and Sign Your Request Form
Click here and print the absentee ballot request form. Complete and sign it with a black or blue pen. - Step 2: Submit Your Request Form
You can mail, fax, or email your completed and signed request form. Click here to find your county election commission mailing address, fax number, and email address.
- Step 1: Complete and Sign Your Ballot
Complete your ballot with a black or blue pen and make sure to sign the affidavit on the ballot envelope. - Step 2: Mail Your Ballot
Seal and mail your ballot using a first-class stamp. Your ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. - Step 3: Track Your Ballot
You can click here and track your ballot online to find out when it has been received by your county election commission.
What to Know Before You Vote
You do not need your voter registration card, but you do need a photo ID such as a TN driver license or U.S. passport to vote. You can use expired IDs! View list of acceptable IDs.
As long as you are in line by closing time at the polls, you will be allowed to vote so stay in line!
If you have any issues at the polls such as they can't find you on the voter roll or you forgot your acceptable ID, ask to cast a provisional ballot. Don't be turned away without casting a vote. Ask for a provisional ballot.
Ballot information is generally in English. However, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you or get assistance.
If you need any help with a voting issue, contact the Election Protection Hotline:
If you need any help with a disability voting issue, contact the Disability Rights Tennessee Hotline at 1-800-342-1600