Tennessee has one of the worst voter turnout rates in the nation. In Nashville, 64% of voters turned out for the 2020 presidential election, but only 27% of voters cast a ballot in the August 2020 county general election and state and federal primaries, according to the Davidson County Election Commission.
Early voting in the Aug. 4 Davidson County general election and the state and federal primaries are currently underway. Fewer than 3,000 eligible voters in Nashville have cast a ballot in this election as of Wednesday, according to data from the election commission.
On Thursday, Davidson County Election Commissioner Jeff Roberts appeared as a guest on This Is Nashville to answer questions about voting registration, voting rights and what people can expect at the polls.
Is it too late to register to vote for the August 4 election?
The deadline to register to vote for this current election has already passed. However, residents are can still register in time to vote in the November election. The deadline is Oct. 11.
Where and how can I register to vote?
If you currently have a Tennessee driver’s license, you can register to vote online at GoVoteTN. If you don’t have a Tennessee driver’s license (like if you moved from another state), you’ll have to get one at a driver service center. You can also register to vote at the same time you get your license.
You can also register in person at the Davidson County Election Commission at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike or its satellite office at 800 2nd Avenue South. You don’t need any additional documents to register in person, but you will be asked for your residential address and Social Security number.
You can also mail a filled out voter registration form to the commission office.
I think I’m registered to vote, but I’m not sure. Where can I check?
Go to GoVoteTN. There you can check your voter registration, find your polling place and see additional information about voting requirements.
I’m new to Tennessee. What else should I know about voting?
Davidson County Election Commissioner Jeff Roberts recommends that new residents look into Tennessee’s voting laws because they may differ from the state a person moved from. Unlike some states, Tennessee requires voters to show a valid federal or Tennessee photo ID card to cast a ballot. Using a passport is OK, but a Wyoming (or other non-Tennessee) driver’s license won’t be accepted.
I’m at the polls, but I forgot my ID at home. Can I still vote?
Yes, but you’ll vote by a provisional ballot instead. To have your provisional ballot counted, you’ll have to go to the election commission office and show your ID.
I’m in a new Congressional district. Where’s my polling place?
During early voting, you can vote at any location that’s convenient to you. Here’s the full list.
On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place, which you can find at the GoVoteTN website.
The election commission estimates that around 80% of people will have to vote at a different location than they did for the November 2020. If the November 2020 election was the last one you voted in, Roberts highly recommends double checking your designated polling place.
I consider myself a Democrat. Do I have to vote in the Democratic primary?
No. Voters have the option to pick a Democrat or Republican primary ballot at the time of voting. You can also choose not to vote in either primary and only receive a ballot for the county general election.
I can’t physically vote in person. Can I still apply for an absentee ballot?
The last day to request an absentee ballot is July 28. It’s recommended that you mail in the request form (which you can find here) no later than July 21. You can also email or fax the filled out form to the election commission by the July 28 deadline.
After applying, you can track the status of your absentee ballot at the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website. Absentee ballots must be returned by August 4, and it will cost neary $1 in postage to mail it back.
Because of the short time frame, Roberts recommends that voters fill out absentee ballots as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute and are worried that your absentee ballot may not be returned in time to be counted, Roberts suggests that voters go to the Broadway Post Office in downtown Nashville to hand it to the clerk. They can postmark it and put it directly into the county’s elections P.O. box.
What else should I know about voting in this election?
Roberts recommends that voters look over the sample ballot in advance so they can go to the polls prepared. It’s the longest ballot in Metro history so it may take more time to vote than normal.
On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As long as you get in line by 7 p.m., Roberts says that you will be allowed to vote.
Anna Gallegos-Cannon is This Is Nashville’s digital lead. She also writes the This Is Nashville weekly newsletter and is one half of the weekly @ Us! segment. You can contact her directly at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @anna_gallegos.
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