Tennessee General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:09 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:30 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Tennessee offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Tennessee by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Tennessee offers absentee by-mail ballots to voters who will be unable to vote in person under certain circumstances. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Tennessee offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Early voting has started! You can vote early until Oct 29. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Contact your local election office to receive your absentee application.
- Visit the Tennessee website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Tennessee's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Tennessee’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Tennessee's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Tennessee.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Tennessee’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Tennessee. Some exceptions may apply. Learn more.
Acceptable forms include (can be expired):
- Tennessee driver's license
- US passport
- photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- US military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
College student IDs, photo ID issued by the county or city, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states are not acceptable.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and your ID is expired, you will also need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, you will sign an affidavit and a copy of your photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
For more information, please visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
Can I register to vote online?
- Tennessee offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Tennessee, you need your Social Security number and ONE of the following: Tennessee driver's license or Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security ID. If you submit a voter registration application online and are registering for the first time in your county, you must vote in person the first time after registering. If you enrolled in the Safe At Home program or permanent absentee voting, you are not required to vote in person for the first time.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Tennessee offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 14 and Oct 29. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Tennessee's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Tennessee. Some exceptions may apply. Learn more.
Acceptable forms include (can be expired):
- Tennessee driver's license
- US passport
- photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- US military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
College student IDs, photo ID issued by the county or city, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states are not acceptable.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and your ID is expired, you will also need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, you will sign an affidavit and a copy of your photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
For more information, please visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Tennessee voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Tennessee, you must provide your full Social Security number, if you have one.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Tennessee partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In Tennessee, it is optional to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
If you submit your voter registration form by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote after registering.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the Tennessee Secretary of State.
How do I vote by mail?
Tennessee allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Tennessee's site.
How do I get my ballot?
Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail. Find a USPS location near you.
- USPS recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Tennessee Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the Tennessee Secretary of State.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 5
- Online : Oct 5
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 24
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 close of polls
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Tennessee. Some exceptions may apply. Learn more.
Acceptable forms include (can be expired):
- Tennessee driver's license
- US passport
- photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- US military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
College student IDs, photo ID issued by the county or city, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states are not acceptable.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online and your ID is expired, you will also need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, you will sign an affidavit and a copy of your photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
For more information, please visit the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Tennessee Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Tennessee you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a Tennessee resident
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- have not been convicted of a felony, or if you have a felony conviction that caused you to lose your voting rights, you must have had your conviction expunged or had your voting rights restored, unless you were convicted of a crime that rendered you permanently ineligible to vote
- You can find more information on voting rights restoration here
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The completed FPCA can be submitted by mail, fax, or email. If submitting your request by email, you must include an attachment that contains the completed application and your scanned signature. Learn more about the FPCA process on the Tennessee Secretary of State website. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Submit the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Tennessee. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Tennessee's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Tennessee, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Tennessee. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.