Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Tennessee offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Tennessee offers early voting.
Vote in person
Vote on Election Day
Voters registered in Tennessee can look up where to vote on Tennessee’s site.
Vote early
Tennessee voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Wednesday, October 14, 2020 to Thursday, October 29, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.
What to bring
- You will need to show photo ID to vote in Tennessee. 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; or Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo. College student IDs are not acceptable.
- If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail, you will also need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include: a current photo ID (unexpired); or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or 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, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voter’s photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
Who can vote
You have to register to vote before Election Day in Tennessee. You can find the deadline to register to vote in the “Dates and deadlines” section.
To register in Tennessee you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Tennessee
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- not have been convicted of a felony, or if convicted, have had your voting rights restored
- not be adjudicated incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction (or have been restored to legal capacity)
- *find more information on voting rights restoration here
Vote by mail
- Review the absentee ballot application and confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for voting absentee.
- Fill out the application completely.
- Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
- When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.