Know Your Rights at the Polls

You can vote in general election if you’re registered to vote at least 30 days before the election.

Check Voter Registration Status

HOW DO I REGISTER?

ONLINE

REGISTER TO VOTE online HERE

Note: All registrations must be completed at least 30 days before the election. If you register online, you are required to vote in person, or can vote by mail if you meet certain requirements.

BY MAIL

You can fill out a voter registration form and mail it to your county election commission. If you register by mail, then you have to vote in person the first time you vote (unless you’re a permanent absentee voter].  

You will need to bring a photo ID (unless you are exempt) and proof of current residence (such as a utility bill) to the polls.  

NOTE: If you are mailing your application, you must have it postmarked at least 30 days before the election. 

IN-PERSON

You can register in person at the county clerk’s office, the county election commission office, public libraries, or at several other government offices. For the full list, visit https://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/register-vote 

What if I have moved or changed my name?

• If you’ve moved within the same county or have changed your name, you should update your registration information with your local county election commission office 5 days before the election.  
• If you don’t do so by the deadline, you can still vote on Election Day at the polling place for your new address. You’ll have to sign a form affirming your new address.    
• If you move to a new county, you have to re-register to vote at least 30 days before the election. You need to fill out another voter registration form and send it by mail or bring it in person to the election commission office in your new county.  If you mail it, you need to have it postmarked 30 days before the election day.

What if I’m a student?

You can register to vote at whatever address you regard as your primary residence. This can be your school address or your home address.

What if I’m homeless?

You don’t need a home to register. For the election officials to decide where you should vote, you have to describe where you usually stay or return to. This can be a street corner, a park, a shelter, or any other place that you usually return to. If you register to vote by mail, you’ll have to give a mailing address where you can receive mail, like a shelter.

• Vote early 
• Vote in person on Election Day 
• Vote by mail with an absentee ballot 

VOTE EARLY

Twenty days before the election, to five days prior to the election, you can vote in-person if you’re registered. Contact your local county election commission office to find out what hours it is open for early voting and where you should vote.

VOTE IN-PERSON ON ELECTION DAY

FIND YOUR ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS HERE

VOTE BY MAIL WITH AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT HERE

Tennessee absentee ballot guidelines and deadlines 

• 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.  
• 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 driver's 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. 

DO I HAVE TO SHOW ID?

• Most likely. If you are voting in person, you must show a government-issued ID that includes your name and photo.
• You won’t need to show a photo ID if you live and vote in a nursing home, vote by mail, are hospitalized, have a religious objection to being photographed, or are low-income and don’t have enough money to pay for a photo ID.

WHAT ID CAN I SHOW TO VOTE?  

Among other IDs, you can use a Tennessee driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a voter ID, a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security, a photo ID issued by the federal government, a U.S. military ID, or a state-issued handgun carry permit with your photo, even if they are expired.

WHAT IF I AM A FIRST-TIME VOTER?

If you vote in person, you must bring a photo ID to the polls. If you bring an expired photo ID to the polls or qualify for an exemption from the photo ID law, you will need to show a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or any other government document that shows your name and address. On September 9, 2020, a federal court ruled that firsttime voters who registered to vote online, by mail or at an event are able to vote by mail if they meet the vote-by-mail eligibility requirements. This decision is under review and subject to change, so you should double check with your local election commission for the latest information.

ARE THERE ANY PHOTO IDS THAT WILL NOT WORK?

You cannot use college student IDs, even from public universities, or local IDs such as library cards even if issued by the government. You cannot use photo IDs issued by other states. It must be issued from the federal government or the state of Tennessee.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY ID?

• If you forgot to bring your ID, it’s usually better to go get it. If you don’t have time or an ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. For your provisional ballot to count, you must show the right ID to the county election commission within 48 hours of the closing of the polls. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-112.
• You can get a free ID by going to the nearest Driver Service Center, showing them proof of citizenship and two proofs of TN residency and signing an affidavit stating that you do not have a valid government-issued photo ID for voting purposes.
• If you are low-income and can’t afford a copy of the documents required to get a free photo ID, you may still vote if you sign a form stating under oath that you are indigent and have been unable to get a photo ID for voting without paying a fee.

Our democracy is strongest when our elections are safe, free and fair and when voting is accessible to more voters, not fewer. Tennessee has protections in place to ensure that all voters are able to cast their ballots safely, privately, and independently during early voting and on Election Day.  Make sure you know your rights as a voter. 

Polls are closing soon  and I'm still waiting in line - can I still vote?

Yes. If you’re in line, stay in line. As long as you are in line before the close of polls on Election Day or during early voting, you are allowed to cast your ballot and your vote will be counted, even if the polls have officially closed by the time you make it to the voting booth.

Can I get a ballot in my native language?

Election materials in Tennessee are generally available only in English, but you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls or to get assistance in your language from anyone you choose, including a poll worker, as long as the person is not your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or an agent of your labor union.

Who is allowed to be in my polling place?

Tennessee state law makes it clear that the only people allowed in a poll during early voting and on Election Day are:

• Voters, those assisting them, and their minor children;
• Election officials;
• The press;
• No more than two official poll watchers per polling location; and
• Others bearing written authorization from the county election commission.  

Law enforcement agents are specifically prohibited from coming within ten feet of the poll entrance, unless they are there at the request of the election commission, there to make an arrest, or there to vote themselves.

What if I’m not on the voter list or I go to the wrong polling place? 

First, ask a poll worker to check the list again and to confirm whether or not you’re at the right polling place. If you’re at the right polling place but your name isn’t on the voter list, demand a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot, even if your name is not on the voter list, as long as you’re willing to swear that you believe you registered to vote. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-112.  

If you’re not at the right polling place, go to the right polling place. You can ask a poll worker to help you find the polling place where you’re registered. You can also call your county election commission office or look up your polling place online at https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/.  

If you can’t figure out where you’re registered, go to the polling place that you think is most likely to be the right one and ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to case a provisional ballot even if you’re not sure that you’re at the right polling place. 

What clothing/political swag is and isn’t allowed in the polls? 

Clothing or promotional materials (like t-shirts or buttons) that promote a candidate or issue that is on the ballot are not permitted on anyone inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the polling place entrance. However, voters are allowed to wear clothing that includes speech (like a t-shirt that bears the phrase “Black Lives Matter” or “Let People Vote”) as long as the speech is not related to a candidate, political party, or ballot measure that is on the ballot for that election. 

Can someone challenge my right to vote? 

We do not have evidence that this happens often. A person can only challenge your ballot on certain grounds. You should be able to resolve the issue if you are registered, voting under your own name, voting in the right place, voting only once in the election, and have not become ineligible to vote since registering.  

If someone challenges your right to vote, election judges will ask you some questions and rule on the challenge. Unless the judges rule against you unanimously, you have the right to cast a regular ballot. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 2-7-102, 2-7-123, 2-7-125 

Will my ballot be disqualified if a poll worker writes on it?

There is no reason for a poll worker to write anything on your ballot, but if they did, writing on the ballot would not disqualify it or prevent it from being counted. However, if a poll worker writes on your ballot and you want to request a new one, you can mark an “X” on it or tear it in half and request a new one. Voters are allowed to request up to three replacement ballots if they spoil their ballots before casting their votes. 

What clothing/political swag is and isn’t allowed in the polls?  

Clothing or promotional materials (like t-shirts or buttons) that promote a candidate or issue that is on the ballot are not permitted on anyone inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the polling place entrance. However, voters are allowed to wear clothing that includes speech (like a t-shirt that bears the phrase “Black Lives Matter” or “Let People Vote”) as long as the speech is not related to a candidate, political party, or ballot measure that is on the ballot for that election. 

Is voter intimidation a crime?  

Yes. Voter intimidation violates both federal and state laws. It is a federal crime to “intimidate, threated, [or] coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” In Tennessee, private actors who seek to disrupt the electoral process violate the law and are subject to arrest and charges. Federal officials and agents remain bound by the Constitution and cannot be deployed to intimidate voters.  Prohibited behaviors include things like aggressive questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal records, qualifications to vote, or political choices; posing as an elections official; blocking polls; spreading misinformation about voter requirements; displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and criminal penalties; threatening, calling names or yelling at people; and disrupting or harassing voters.  In addition, Tennessee does not allow private, unauthorized militias to engage in activities reserved for the state militia, including enforcing voting laws. If you see a person you suspect is acting as a member of a private militia at or near a polling location, tell a poll worker immediately. 

What do I do if I experience voter intimidation?  

It is the responsibility of the TN Secretary of State, the state elections coordinator, and your local election commission to ensure that the laws that protect voting are enforced and that the right of all eligible Tennesseans to vote free from intimidation is honored.

 If you believe you are the victim of voter intimidation, tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, tell a poll watcher, call your county election commission, and report the incident to the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).  

Assistance is also available in Spanish at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682), in Arabic at 844-YALLA-US  (844-915-5187), and in Asian languages at 888-API-VOTE (1-888-174-8683). A video call number for American Sign Language is available at 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683). 

• If you have a problem at the polls, first ask for an election supervisor at your polling place. He or she can handle most routine complaints that arise on Election Day.
• Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit groups may also have poll watchers on hand who might be able to assist you.
• If any of those people ask you who you voted for, or if they can’t resolve your complaint, call your county election commission, or the Tennessee Secretary of State at (615) 741-7956.
• You can also call the national, nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). The hotline provides comprehensive information and assistance at all stages of voting.
• Assistance is also available in Spanish at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682), in Arabic at 844-YALLA-US (844-915-5187), and in Asian languages at 888-API-VOTE (1-888-174-8683).
• A video call number for American Sign Language is available at 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683).

The ACLU of Tennessee is a non-partisan organization that does not endorse or oppose any candidate or party, but believes that no civil right is more important in our democracy than the right to vote. The details below are for information purposes only.

Governor  

The governor serves as the leader of Tennessee's executive branch and holds the responsibility of enforcing state laws and the state constitution.  

As a result, governors can sign into law or block abortion rights-related legislation. They can also veto education gag orders, which restrict teachers and students from being able to learn and discuss issues related to race and gender in the classroom. Or advocate for the expansion of voting rights, veto voter suppression bills, and issue executive orders expanding access to the ballot. 

Tennessee governors are elected every four years and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. 

Meet Tennesee's governor

Attorney General

State attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state. They can issue legal guidance or formal opinions to state agencies, including finding that certain enforcement actions violate state law or constitutional guarantees. Moreover, state attorneys general routinely challenge federal laws and policies in court on behalf of their state.

Tennessee attorney generals are appointed by the judges of the Tennessee Supreme Court and serve an eight-year term.

Meet Tennessee's attorney general 

Secretary of State

The constitution mandates that the secretary of state uphold the many administrative aspects of Tennessee's state government operation. It is the secretary of state's duty to keep a register of the official acts and proceedings of the governor.

The Tennessee secretary of state is elected by the General Assembly and serves a four-year term. 

State Legislators

State legislators make up the body of the legislature and are responsible for proposing and voting on legislation, aiming to create state laws that address the issues of their constituents.

Tennessee state legislators are elected by the individuals in the district they serve for a two-year term. The next election for state legislators is November 5, 2024. 

Find your state legislators 

District Attorney

District attorneys are the ultimate authority on whether to file charges against individuals accused of committing crimes within their jurisdiction. 

Tennessee district attorneys are elected within their jurisdiction and serve an eight-year term. 

School Board

The school board represents the community's voice in public education, providing citizen governance and knowledge of the community's resources and needs. Board members are the policymakers closest to the student.

The Tennessee school board is elected by individuals within the school district it serves. 

Sheriff

In some Tennessee counties, sheriffs oversee policing beyond city limits and in other Tennessee counties, sheriffs oversee policing throughout the county. They have a major influence on local criminal justice policies. The sheriff is also responsible for conditions in the local county jail where people charged with crimes are incarcerated pretrial or while serving shorter sentences.

Tennessee sheriffs are elected by individuals in the district they serve.

County Clerk

County clerks are responsible for maintaining records of all governing body transactions including resolutions and ordinances. They are responsible for keeping records of deeds and marriage licenses and most other public records.

Tennessee county clerks are elected by voters in the district they serve.

• Check your voter registration status.  
• Locate your polling place and note the hours of operation.  
• Consider voting early or absentee if possible.  
• If you plan to vote at the polls, go early in the day to avoid the last-minute rush.  
• Check to see what identification is required to vote.  
• Read all instructions carefully.  
• Take your time.  
• Ask for help if you need it.