Voter Registration

Voting is a right and a responsibility that should be exercised by all registered Tennessee voters.

Eligibility Requirements

Before you head out to register, make sure you are eligible to vote in Tennessee. The requirements are as follows:

• You must be both a United States citizen and a Tennessee resident.

• You must be at least 18 years of age in time for the next election.

Registering to Vote

In Tennessee, you can conveniently register to vote, or update your registration information, at your local Department of Safety (DOS) driver license office. Just download and complete an application for voter registration, or pick one up at the office, and they will send it to the elections commission for you. Or, you may register to vote when you apply for a driver's license or ID card.

You can also register to vote by mail using this application. The application provides the address to which you'll need to send it, depending on your district. Note that if you register by mail, you are required to vote in person the first time you vote.

You must register at least 30 days before the date of the election in which you intend to vote.

Absentee Voting

There are many situations that make people eligible to vote absentee.

Registered voters are allowed to vote absentee without reason during the early voting period, which is usually five to 20 days before the election, if there is opposition on the ballot, and 10 days before the election if there isn't opposition on the ballot.

Registered voters are also able to vote by mail as long as they request the application from the county election commission between seven and 90 days before the election. Following this process, you must give certain information, including the reason you wish to vote by mail.

The Tennessee Department of State offers more information about the absentee voting process.

Military/Overseas Voting

Tennessee residents who are military personnel, or family members of military personnel, and are currently stationed outside of Tennessee or overseas may still vote using the Federal Post Card Application Process. Complete the application and mail it to your local county election commission. All ballots must be received by the time the polls close on election day.

This process also applies to Tennessee residents currently living outside of the U.S. and people who were born outside of the U.S. but have Tennessee resident parents who are eligible to vote in Tennessee.

Visit the Tennessee Department of State Web site for more information about the military and overseas voting process.

Other Sources of Tennessee Voter Information

• Help America Vote Act

• Tennessee State Rules and Regulations

• Tennessee District Maps

• Tennessee State Election Commission