Early voting in Tennessee has begun, and voters heading to the polls face uncertainty about potential new rules.
Election Day is fast approaching, and Tennessee law requires voters to be given the chance to vote early for about two weeks before Election Day, rather than only on Nov. 3. During this period, dozens of polling locations will be open across the state of Tennessee, giving voters an easier chance to cast their ballots.
One of the biggest concerns for voters this year is whether they can vote by absentee ballot, as President Donald Trump has challenged the security of mail-in ballots.
Here is everything to know about early voting in Tennessee, which starts in Oct. 14 and continues until Oct. 29.
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 state Senate and House members.
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.
Governor candidates
- Marsha Blackburn: Republican, U.S. senator
- Jerri Green: Democrat, Shelby County chief public defender
U.S. Senate candidates
- Marquita Bradshaw: Democrat, environmental activist
- Bill Hagerty: Republican, incumbent U.S. senator
To see which representatives and Tennessee state officials will be on your ballot, see a sample ballot here.
When does early voting start?
Early voting in Tennessee runs from Oct. 14 to 29.
Where to find early voting times and locations?
There are no assigned polling sites during the early voting period, voters may cast their ballots at any early voting location. You can look up early voting sites using the Tennessee Secretary of State office's GoVoteTN website and app.
Early voting locations are open during the day, with some sites also open on evenings and Saturdays. For full details regarding times and locations, it's best to contact your local county election commission office.
Can you still register to vote in Tennessee?
The registration period ahead of the 2026 midterms ended on Oct. 5, so voters who were not already registered by then will not be able to vote in the upcoming election cycle.
What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?
The last day to request an absentee ballot in Tennessee is Oct. 24, but election officials recommend requesting it earlier to be safe.
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 attend 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 have 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)
How do I find my district in Tennessee for 2026?
In May 2026, Tennessee underwent mid-decade redistricting after the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map drawn to protect the voting power of Black residents.
As a result of the new redistricting map, which split the state's only remaining Democratic district, many residents will be part of a new district in the coming election. To find out which district you are in, the Tennessee General Assembly website provides a tool that allows residents to enter their addresses to find their elected officials.
Tennessee residents can also visit house.gov and find their representatives and districts by searching for their ZIP codes.
Do I need a Real ID to vote in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the general rule is that a state- or government-issued photo ID will work. IDs accepted for voting include:
- Tennessee driver's license with your photo
- United States passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal government or the Tennessee state government
- United States military photo ID
- A Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
Tennessee driver's licenses with "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES" still count as a valid photo ID.
College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government are not acceptable.
Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Early voting in Tennessee starts Oct. 14. How to cast your ballot
