Vote

Upcoming Elections

Register to Vote

How to Register

For more information about How

Download a Voter Registration Form (PDF)

You may also obtain a form from most Public Libraries, Post Offices, or from our Headquarters.

College Students: We recommend that students register to vote here in Shelby County if that is where they return when they are home for the summer or breaks. If the student will be out of town for an Election Day, they may vote by mail with an Absentee Ballot (see below) provided that they have voted at least once in person. A new voter who will be studying out-of-town should vote in-person in the August County Election so that they will be able to vote by mail in a November Federal Election.

Military Ballots: If you are in the military, check with your Voting Assistance Officer regarding procedures to receive an absentee ballot as soon as you get your orders.  Military ballots are mailed 45 days before the election date.

Am I already registered?

If you have voted at any time in Shelby County within the past eight years, or have received a Voter Registration card within eight years, and have not moved your registration to another county, then you are likely to be on the rolls and do not need to re-Register.

You can check your registration on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Website

Change of Address

If you have moved, you may change your address on the spot during Early Voting. You may also use the Voter Registration form and mail in the change.

Restoration of Voting Rights

If you lost your voting rights due to a Felony conviction – consult this document for information on having those rights restored

How to Vote

You should bring identification issued by either the state or federal government that includes a photo.  A drivers license or TN photo ID card is acceptable.  Student ID’s or corporate ID’s are not acceptable.

Voter ID

Starting in 2012, registered voters in Tennessee will have to show government-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot at the polls.
Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • Tennessee driver license with a photo (current or expired);
  • A driver license issued by another state (current or expired);
  • U.S. passport;
  • Federal employee ID with photo;
  • State employee ID with photo (including those issued by state universities);
  • U.S. military ID; or
  • Gun permit card with a photo.

Student ID cards from state universities are NOT acceptable.
The new law requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote applies only to those voting at polling places. It does not apply to those casting absentee ballots under state law, including those age 65 or older who wish to vote absentee or those voting at licensed nursing homes.

More information about Voter ID requirments – http://www.tn.gov/safety/photoids.shtml

Even an expired photo ID is valid for voting.

Early Voting

Early Voting usually begins twenty days prior to Election Day, but may begin later at Satellite locations throughout the County. You may vote at any Early Voting location regardless of your precinct.

Election Day

On Election Day, you must vote at your precinct’s assigned location as shown on your voter registration card. If you do not know your precinct or voting location, use the Election Commission Precinct Locator to find it.

Vote by Mail (Absentee)

If you are over age 65, or will be out of town for Election Day, or for several other reasons you may cast an Absentee vote by mail.

College Students:

College Students who are registered in Shelby County will not be in town for Election Day may avail themselves of Absentee Voting.

To vote by mail, you must have voted in-person (at an Early Voting or Election Day polling location) in Shelby County at least once before.

Request the Absentee Ballot

If a person is hospitalized for an emergency and is thus unable to vote in person on Election Day, they may contact the Election Commission (901-545-4125) and request an “Emergency Absentee Ballot”.
designed by Don Johnson