How to vote absentee by-mail in Tennessee

Nashville, TENN. – Voting is important for the rural communities served by electric co-ops, and Tennessee’s next statewide election is August 6. Eligible Tennesseans can request to vote absentee by-mail. 

Some popular reasons allowed under state law to vote absentee by-mail: 

  • The voter is age 60 or older.
  • The voter will be outside the county where they vote during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
  • The voter or the voter’s spouse is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration.
  • The voter will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror.
  • The voter is hospitalized, ill or physically disabled and because of such condition, cannot vote in person.
  • The voter is a caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill or disabled.
  • The voter will be working as a poll official.
  • The voter is a member of the military and out of the county where they vote.

For a more exhaustive list of statutory reasons to vote absentee by-mail go to GoVoteTN.com. Voters who meet a reason under Tennessee law to vote absentee by-mail can submit a written request to their local election commission by mail, fax or email. The request must be received by your local election commission no later than seven (7) days before the election.  

Your written request must include:

  • Your name
  • Your address where you live
  • Your full social security number
  • Your date of birth
  • The address to mail the ballot, if different than your home address
  • Your reason for voting absentee by-mail. For example, I am 60 years old.
  • Your signature
  • For the August election, to receive a primary ballot request either a Republican or Democratic primary ballot. If no indication, you will receive a general election only ballot.

July 30 is the request deadline for the August 6, 2020, State and Federal Primary and County General Election. Don’t wait. Make your request TODAY!

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