Election administration in Tennessee
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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies and methods of enforcing them. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.
Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Tennessee:
Poll times
- See also: State poll opening and closing times
In Tennessee, most polling places are open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but opening times can vary by county. All precincts close at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and 7:00 p.m. Central. The polls must be open a minimum of 10 hours and may be open for a maximum of 13 hours. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[2]
Voter registration
- Check your voter registration status here.
To register to vote in Tennessee, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Tennessee, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election.[3]
Prospective voters can register online, by mailing a voter registration application to the county election commission, or in person at a variety of locations including the county clerk’s office, the county election commission office, public libraries, and numerous state agencies. Registration must be completed 30 days before an election.[3]
Automatic registration
Tennessee does not practice automatic voter registration.
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Tennessee has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Tennessee does not allow same-day voter registration.
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be a resident of the state.
Verification of citizenship
Tennessee requires proof of citizenship for voter registration. Section 2-2-141 of the Tennessee Code states the following:
| “ |
‘’’2-2-141. Proof of citizenship for registering to vote.’’’ (a) The coordinator of elections shall compare the statewide voter registration database with the department of safety database to ensure non-United States citizens are not registered to vote in this state. The coordinator of elections is authorized to compare the statewide voter registration database with relevant federal and state agencies and county records for the same purpose. If evidence exists that a particular registered voter is not a citizen of the United States, the coordinator of elections shall notify the county election commission where the person registered to vote that the registered voter may not be a citizen of the United States. (b) After receiving such notice, the county election commission shall send a notice to the registered voter inquiring whether the individual is eligible to be registered to vote. Any registered voter who receives the notice shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice, provide proof of citizenship to the county election commission.[4] |
” |
| —Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-141[5] | ||
Verifying your registration
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Early and absentee voting policy
Early voting
- See also: Early voting
Tennessee permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Absentee voting
- See also: Absentee voting
Tennessee voters are eligible to vote absentee in an election if they cannot make it to the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons:[6]
| “ |
|
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| —Tennessee Secretary of State | ||
To vote absentee, a request must be received by county election officials no earlier than 90 days and no later than seven days prior to the election. The completed ballot must then be returned by the close of polls on Election Day.[6]
Returning absentee ballots
In Tennessee, voters may vote absentee in person (early voting) or by mail.[7] Early voting typically begins 20 days before an election and ends five days before an election at the county election commission office or at a satellite voting location opened by the county election commission.[8] The election commission must receive by-mail ballots no later than the close of polls on election day.[7]
Tennessee law does not specify whether someone can return a ballot on behalf of a voter.[9]
Signature requirements and cure provisions
Absentee ballots in Tennessee include a return envelope printed with an affidavit that must be signed by the voter. Election administrators compare the signatures on the absentee ballot application, the absentee ballot envelope (affidavit), and the voter’s registration record. Voters are immediately notified by mail if their ballot is rejected, and they may correct the deficient ballot if time permits.[10][11]
Tennessee law states the following:
| “ | If upon receipt of any absentee ballot the administrator determines that the ballot is not entitled to be cast under this title, the administrator shall mark the absentee ballot envelope "Rejected," write the reason for the rejection on the envelope, and sign it. The absentee ballot envelope, unopened, shall be placed in a container of rejected absentee ballots for the election. Notice of the rejection shall immediately be given in writing to the voter.[11][4] | ” |
Was your absentee ballot counted?
Use the Voter Lookup tool provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State office to check the status of your absentee ballot.
Voter identification requirements
- See also: Voter ID in Tennessee
- See also: Voter identification laws by state
Tennessee requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[12]
Voters can present the following forms of identification:
- Tennessee driver’s license with photo
- United States passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- United States Military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with photo
The following voters are exempt from the photo ID requirements:
- Voters who vote absentee by mail
- Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
- Voters who are hospitalized
- Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
- Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
Voters can obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center. In order to receive an ID, a voter must bring proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, a utility bill, vehicle registration or title, or bank statement). Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page for more information.[12]
Background
On September 26, 2012, a judge ruled that Tennessee's voter ID law did not violate the state constitution. On October 25, 2012, the Court of Appeals also upheld Tennessee's voter ID law, though the court did issue an order requiring state officials to accept Memphis library cards as government-issued photo identification. State officials announced plans to appeal this part of the ruling, arguing that library IDs were not valid because they were not issued by the state government. On February 6, 2013, the Tennessee Supreme Court was asked to decide whether the state’s voter ID law deprived citizens of the right to vote, whether safeguards should be implemented to prevent election fraud, and whether a city-issued photo library card could qualify as proper identification. On April 24, 2013, Governor Bill Haslam (R) signed into law a bill that required voters to present photo identification issued by the state of Tennessee or the United States, which rendered library cards and photo identification issued by other states invalid. However, the Tennessee Supreme Court ordered that Memphis Public Library photo IDs be accepted until the court's final ruling. In August 2013, before the Tennessee Supreme Court issued its final ruling, the Tennessee Green Party filed a federal lawsuit challenging Tennessee's voter ID law. The Tennessee Green Party argued that the law was unconstitutional and unfair to minority voters. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued its final ruling on the voter ID law on October 17, 2013, upholding the law and allowing the legislature to block the use of library cards as identification.[13]
As of August 2023, 34 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 23 required voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 11 accepted other forms of identification. The remaining 16 states did not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.[14][15]
Provisional balloting for voters without ID
Voters who do not have ID while voting may cast provisional ballots. See below for provisional ballot rules.
Provisional ballot rules
Voters in Tennessee are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.[16]
(1) If the voter’s "eligibility cannot be determined by the computer signature list or by examination of the permanent registration records on file with the county election commission or an election official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
(2) If the voter is unable to present proper identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
(3) If the voter’s eligibility to vote is challenged, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
Was your provisional ballot counted?
A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:[17]
- If the voter is not registered to vote in the precinct in which the voter voted; or
- If the voter already voted in a different precinct.
Local election officials
Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool. |
Primary election type
- See also: Primary elections in Tennessee
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Tennessee utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary. However, voters must affiliate with a party at the primary polling location or declare their allegiance to the party.[18][19][20]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Time off work for voting
In Tennessee, employers must provide employees with three hours paid time off work if the employees' working hours do not begin three or more hours after the opening or the polls or end three or more hours before the closing of the polls. Employers may specify when employees take time off work, and employees must apply for time off by noon the day before voting begins:
| “ | (a) Any person entitled to vote in an election held in this state may be absent from any service or employment on the day of the election for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed three (3) hours, necessary to vote during the time the polls are open in the county where the person is a resident.
(b) A voter who is absent from work to vote in compliance with this section may not be subjected to any penalty or reduction in pay for such absence. (c) If the tour of duty of an employee begins three (3) or more hours after the opening of the polls or ends three (3) or more hours before the closing of the polls of the county where the employee is a resident, the employee may not take time off under this section. (d) The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent. Application for such absence shall be made to the employer before twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day before the election.[21][4] |
” |
As of 2020, 28 states had laws requiring employers to provide time off for voting under certain conditions.
Voting rules for people convicted of a felony
- See also: Voting rights for convicted felons
In Tennessee, people convicted of an infamous crime lose the right to vote, according to Article 1, Section 5 of the state constitution. Many felonies in Tennessee are classified as infamous crimes, so people convicted of a felony are often disqualified from voting and must petition for restoration of their voting rights. According to secretary of state's website,
| “ | Regaining the right to vote after a felony conviction is a two-step process. First, an individual must receive a pardon or have their full rights of citizenship restored. Second, the individual must meet requirements related to paying restitution and court costs, if any, and be current on any child support obligations, if any. A pardon or restoration of full rights of citizenship is required for all restorations.[22][4] | ” |
Mark Goins (R), the state coordinator of elections, wrote in a July 21, 2023, memo to local election officials that the two-part process for restoring voting rights applied in all cases, whether someone was convicted in Tennessee, another state, or in federal court. Goins' guidance followed the Tennessee Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Falls v. Goins. Click here for more information on restoring voting rights for people convicted of a felony in Tennessee.[23]
Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[18]
Voter list maintenance
All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).[24] The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.[25]
When names can be removed from the voter list
Tennessee law authorizes election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:[26]
- requests in writing to be removed from the list
- confirms in writing that they moved outside of their voting jurisdiction
- changes their name (with the exceptions of marriage or divorce)
- dies
- is convicted of a felony
- is determined to be a non-US citizen
- is ordered to be removed by a court
- remains on the inactive voter list through two consecutive general elections.
Inactive voter list rules
If local election officials, using National Change of Address data and other address verification resources, determine that a voter has moved outside of their voting jurisdiction, they are to send the voter a forwardable confirmation notice and place them on an inactive voter list. Tennessee law does not allow inactive voters to be included in a county’s official number of registered voters. If the voter does not respond to correct the information and does not vote in the next two general elections, they are to be purged from the voter registration list.[27]
The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)
According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records, to provide member states with detailed reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Each state pays annual dues, which are determined by a formula approved by the ERIC membership. The formula includes a state's citizen voting age population as a factor."[28]
By 2022, 33 states and the District of Columbia had joined ERIC. As of August 2023, 26 states and the District of Columbia were members in the ERIC program.[29]
As of April 2023, Tennessee was not participating in the ERIC program.
Post-election auditing
Tennessee state law requires post-election audits. County election commissions automatically audit "at least 1 precinct for small counties and at least 5 precincts for large counties. If after the automatic audit there is a variance of more than 1% between the unofficial election results of the top race and the automatic audit, a hand count of 3% of the precincts is conducted." The audit begins before 1:00 p.m. on the day after the election.[30]
Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.[18][31]
Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.
As of December 2023, 41 states and the District of Columbia required some form of post-election audit. Of these, 36 states and the District of Columbia required traditional post-election audits, three states required risk-limiting post-election audits, and two states required procedural post-election audits.[32]
Election policy ballot measures
Ballotpedia has not tracked any ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Tennessee as of this time.
The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Tennessee. The following information is included for each bill:
- State
- Bill number
- Official name or caption
- Most recent action date
- Legislative status
- Topics dealt with by the bill
Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. The table displays up to 100 results by default. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.
Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Tracker sets the industry standard for ease of use, flexibility, and raw power. But that's just the beginning of what it can do:
- Ballotpedia's election experts provide daily updates on bills and other relevant political developments
- We translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries written in everyday language
- And because it's from Ballotpedia, our Tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan
The Ballot Bulletin
The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.
Click here to view recent issues and subscribe.
Ballot access
In order to get on the ballot in Tennessee, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.
There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.
- An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
- An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
- An individual can run as a write-in candidate.
This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Tennessee. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Tennessee." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Tennessee
Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Tennessee's nine United States Representatives and 132 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.[33][34][35][36]
Tennessee was apportioned 9 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Tennessee after the 2020 census.
State process
- See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures
In Tennessee, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[37]
The Tennessee Constitution requires that state Senate districts "preserve counties whole where possible." State statutes mandate that no more than 30 counties may be split across districts. Furthermore, state law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[37]
Election administration agencies
Election agencies
- See also: State election agencies
Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Tennessee can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.
Tennessee County Elections Commission
Tennessee State Elections Commission
- 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
- 7th Floor, Snodgrass Tower
- Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1102
- Telephone: 615-741-7956
- Email: tennessee.elections@tn.gov
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- 1335 East West Highway, Suite 4300
- Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
- Telephone: 866-747-1471
Ballotpedia's election coverage
- United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2024
- United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2024
- Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
- Democratic Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
- Democratic Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
- State legislative Democratic primaries, 2024
- United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2024
- United States House Republican Party primaries, 2024
- Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
- Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
- Republican Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
- State legislative Republican primaries, 2024
See also
- 2024 election dates and deadlines
- Voting in Tennessee
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Tennessee
- Redistricting in Tennessee
Elections in Tennessee
- Tennessee elections, 2023
- Tennessee elections, 2022
- Tennessee elections, 2021
- Tennessee elections, 2020
- Tennessee elections, 2019
- Tennessee elections, 2018
- Tennessee elections, 2017
- Tennessee elections, 2016
- Tennessee elections, 2015
- Tennessee elections, 2014
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
- ↑ Tennessee Code, "Title 2, Chapter 3, Part 2", accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ LexisNexis, “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-141,” accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Absentee Voting," accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 ‘’Tennessee Secretary of State,’’ “Absentee Voting,” accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, “Early Voting,” accessed October 15, 2019
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voting Outside the Polling Place: Absentee, All-Mail and Other Voting at Home Options," July 12, 2022
- ↑ Tennessee Code Unannotated, “TN Code, 2-6-202,” accessed October 15, 2019
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tennessee Code Unannotated, “TN Code, 2-6-204,” accessed May 2, 2023
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tennesse Secretary of State, "What ID is required when voting?" accessed May 3, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "tvid" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ TNCourts.gov, "TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS VOTER ID ACT," accessed October 17, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," March 9, 2023
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
- ↑ FindLaw.com, "Tennessee Code Title 2. Elections § 2-7-112," accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," November 4, 2022
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 NCSL,"State Primary Election Types," accessed May 3, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "ncsl" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "ncsl" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
- ↑ Williamson County Tennessee,"Frequently Asked Questions," accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ Lexis Nexis, "Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-1-106," accessed October 15, 2019
- ↑ Restoration of Voting Rights, "Restoration of Voting Rights," accessed July 31, 2023
- ↑ Office of the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections, "Letter About Restoring Voting Rights," accessed July 31, 2023
- ↑ The Justice Department notes, "Six States (Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are exempt from the NVRA because, on and after August 1, 1994, they either had no voter-registration requirements or had election-day voter registration at polling places with respect to elections for federal office."
- ↑ The United States Department of Justice, "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993," accessed Aprl 4, 2023
- ↑ Tennessee Code, "2.2.106 and 2.2.141," October 6, 2019
- ↑ Tennessee Code, "2.2.106," October 6, 2019
- ↑ ERIC, "Home," accessed April 4, 2023
- ↑ ERIC, "Who We Are," accessed August 7, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed October 15, 2019
- ↑ Election Assistance Commission, "Election Audits Across the United States," accessed August 15, 2023
- ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted in June 2023, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Why does it matter?" accessed April 8, 2015
- ↑ Indy Week, "Cracked, stacked and packed: Initial redistricting maps met with skepticism and dismay," June 29, 2011
- ↑ The Atlantic, "How the Voting Rights Act Hurts Democrats and Minorities," June 17, 2013
- ↑ Redrawing the Lines, "The Role of Section 2 - Majority Minority Districts," accessed April 6, 2015
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 All About Redistricting, "Tennessee," accessed May 5, 2015
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