Tennessee absentee ballot deadline is Oct. 24. How to request one

Election Day is fast approaching, and Tennessee voters have limited time left to request and submit an absentee ballot. During the midterm elections, Tennessee residents will select the next governor, one U.S. senator, nine representatives to the U.S. House, and members of both the state Senate and

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What is the story about?

Election Day is fast approaching, and Tennessee voters have limited time left to request and submit an absentee ballot.

During the midterm elections, Tennessee residents will select the next governor, one U.S. senator, nine representatives to the U.S. House, and members of both the state Senate and House. Additionally, voters will decide on three constitutional amendments.

One of voters' biggest concerns this year is whether they can vote by absentee ballot, as President Donald Trump has challenged the security of mail-in ballots.

Here is what to know about absentee voting in Tennessee.

Can I get an absentee ballot?

While President Donald Trump haschallenged the security of mail-in ballots and called for greater federal control of elections, the Supreme Court declined to let

the U.S. Postal Service tighten mail-in ballot use ahead of the November midterm elections.

According to Tennessee law, absentee voting is allowed only when one of these qualifications applies:

You are age 60 or older
You will be out of the county where you are registered in during early voting and on Election Day
You are hospitalized, ill or disabled, or you are the caretaker of someone who is hospitalized or disabled
You or your spouse attends college full-time outside the county
You live in a nursing home or assisted living facility outside your home county
You are a candidate for an office in the election
You are observing a religious holiday
You are an election official
You are on jury duty
You have a disability and your polling place is inaccessible
You or your spouse has a commercial driver's license and will be working outside the county
You are a member of the military
You live overseas
You are on the permanent absentee list (requires a doctor's statement)

What is the deadline to request an absentee ballot in Tennessee?

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 10 days before Election Day. In this election cycle, the deadline is Oct. 24.

How to request an absentee ballot in Tennessee?

To request an absentee ballot, voters must submit a written request to their local county election commission office by the deadline. The written request may be submitted by mail or email. If emailing the request letter, make sure it includes the following information:

Name of the registered voter
Address of the voter's residence
Voter's Social Security number
Voter's date of birth
Address where the ballot should be mailed
The election in which the voter wishes to participate. If the election involves a primary, include the political party in which the voter wishes to participate.
Reason the voter wishes to vote absentee. If applicable, include a copy of the CDL showing the CDL number or the TWIC card with the voter’s request.
Voter's signature

What is the deadline to return an absentee ballot in Tennessee?

For an absentee ballot to be counted, it must be mailed to the local county election commission office via USPS, UPS or FedEx and received by the time polls close on Election Day. This means the commission must receive all absentee ballots by 7 p.m. local time on Nov. 3.

What will Tennessee vote on during midterms?

In the midterm elections, Tennessee voters will choose the next governor, one U.S. senator, nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and members of the state Senate and House.

Voters will also vote on three constitutional amendments. Two would address criminal justice issues, while the third would limit the state's authority to impose a property tax.