Voters go to the polls Thursday for state primary elections and some local races. New identification requirements and changes to the shape of voting districts bring the potential for confusion or mistakes. State and federal officials say they’re prepared to deal with any problems.
The State Division of Elections will man a hotline all day, both answering voters’ questions and looking into complaints. The US Department of Justice is at the ready, too, with FBI Agents and Assistant US Attorneys on hand to look into allegations of voting problems.
Of course, the election has been underway for weeks. More than 320-thousand Tennesseans cast early votes. Some, in both the Memphis area and Dickson County, have complained of being given incorrect ballots, thanks to confusion over redistricting. A handful of Rhea County voters were turned away from a GOP primary because poll workers thought they were Democrats. And across the state, people trying to vote without state or federally-issued photo ID have been given provisional ballots, which are only counted if identification is produced in two days time.
to report problems:
State Election hotline 1-877-850-4959
Assistant US Attorneys 615-736-2083 and 615-736-5431
FBI 615-232-7500
Voter ID information from the State Division of Elections:
What forms of photo ID are acceptable?
Any of the following IDs may be used, even if they are expired:
• Tennessee driver license with your photo
• United States Passport
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security photo ID
• Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government, such as an employee ID from the U.S. Department of Energy with your photo
• United States Military photo ID, including a Veteran Identification Card
• State-issued handgun carry permit card with your photo
What forms of photo ID are NOT acceptable?
• A college student photo ID
• A photo ID not issued by the federal or state government, such as a discount club or bank card with your photo
Is my photo ID acceptable?
If you are unsure or have questions about your photo ID, contact your county election commission or the Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959.
Who is exempt?
• Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements here)
• Voters who are residents in a licensed nursing homes or assisted living centers and who vote at those facilities
• Voters who are hospitalized
• Voters with religious objections to being photographed
• Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
Must poll workers ask all voters for photo ID, even if the poll workers know the voter?
Yes. Every voter who votes in person will be asked to present a photo ID.
What if I don’t bring a photo ID to the polling place?
If you don’t bring a photo ID, you will vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voter’s photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.”
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM