Vote Safe. Vote Early. Vote Like Your Rights Depend on It.
Decisions that affect your healthcare, or your schools, or your business are made by the people we elect. So if you have opinions about those things, one of the most impactful ways to express them is with your vote. Every vote matters. Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the right to vote, so make your voting plan today.
Need to make a complaint or report a problem at the polls?
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).
Key Dates
Tuesday, November 3
State/federal general election Absentee ballots must be received by your local election commission by the close of the polls on this date. You can now stamp and drop off your mail-in ballot at a designated USPS post office in each county until 3 pm on Election Day. Election commission officials will collect ballots at those locations after 3 pm on Nov. 3. We recommend using the drop-off post offices rather than using regular mail for your ballot at this point, because your ballot is NOT guaranteed to arrive in time if you mail it from any other location.The official ballot drop-off locations for your county can be found here.
Available resources include:
Getting Ready to Vote: What You Need to Know Before Election Day (brochure) – includes info on who can vote (including specifics for students, the homeless, and those with criminal histories), registration, voting early or by mail, dealing with address changes, and quick tips for voters
The 2016 Voter Empowerment Card (a pocket-sized card that can be carried to the polls) – includes info on when and where to vote, getting time off from work, the new photo ID law and how to get ID, accessibility, and dealing with problems at the polls
TN's New Photo ID Law (flyer) – includes info on who has to show ID, acceptable forms of ID, what IDs won’t work, what to do if you don’t have ID, and the exception for people with low incomes
Get Your Right to Vote Back: A Guide to Voting with a Felony Conviction in Tennessee (brochure) – describes the process for people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences, etc. to restore their right to vote
Provisional Ballots in 2016 (flyer) – describes what a provisional ballot is and whether or not they will be counted
