How to Register to Vote in Tennessee
Registration for the November 3, 2026 election closes on Monday, October 5, 2026. Tennessee requires you to be registered no later than 30 days before an election, and there is no same-day registration.
The deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026
If you are not registered by then, you cannot vote in this election. If you have moved within Tennessee since you last voted, update your address by the same deadline. A paper application sent by mail counts if it is postmarked by the deadline, even if your county receives it later.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Voter registration deadline | |
| Absentee ballot request deadline | |
| Early voting | through |
| Election Day |
Check whether you are eligible
To register to vote in Tennessee you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be 18 years of age or older on or before November 3, 2026.
- Be a resident of Tennessee.
The Secretary of State publishes separate guidance on residency, on registration for people experiencing homelessness and non-resident property owners, and on eligibility to vote after a felony conviction for convictions on or after May 18, 1981.
Three ways to register
Register online
Use the state's online voter registration system at ovr.govote.tn.gov. You can register or update an existing registration from a computer, tablet or phone. Submit it on or before October 5, 2026.
Register by mail
Download and complete the state voter registration application, then mail it to your county election commission. Your county will process a mailed form that is postmarked at least 30 days before the election, which for this election means postmarked by October 5, 2026. Find your county election commission.
Register in person
Pick up and submit a paper application at a county election commission office, a county clerk's office, a public library or a register of deeds office. You can also register during a transaction with several state agencies, including the Department of Safety motor vehicles division, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health WIC program, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Check your registration
Confirm your registration status, your districts and your polling place with the Secretary of State's voter lookup tool at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup. Check it even if you are confident you are registered. Registrations can be affected by a move, and an address that is out of date will send you to the wrong polling place.
Common questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Tennessee?
Monday, October 5, 2026, which is 30 days before the November 3, 2026 election. A paper application mailed to your county election commission is accepted if it is postmarked by that date.
Can I register to vote online in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee offers online voter registration through the Secretary of State at ovr.govote.tn.gov. You may also register by mailing a paper application to your county election commission, or by picking one up in person at a county election commission office, a county clerk’s office, a public library or a register of deeds office.
Who is eligible to register to vote in Tennessee?
You must be a United States citizen, a resident of Tennessee, and 18 years of age or older on or before November 3, 2026. If you have a felony conviction on or after May 18, 1981, the Secretary of State publishes a separate guide on eligibility to vote after a felony conviction.
How do I check whether I am already registered to vote?
The Secretary of State runs a voter lookup tool at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup where you can confirm your registration status, your districts and your polling place. Check it even if you believe you are registered, because a move within Tennessee requires you to update your address.
I registered by mail. Can I vote by mail too?
Usually not the first time. The Secretary of State states that unless you are on the permanent absentee voting register, are enrolled in the Safe at Home program, or have previously voted in your county of registration, you must appear in person to vote in the first election after registering by mail or online at GoVoteTN.gov.
More voting information
Sources
- Tennessee Secretary of State: how to register to vote
- Tennessee Secretary of State: elections calendar and key dates
- Tennessee Secretary of State: online voter registration
- Tennessee Secretary of State: voter lookup
- Tennessee Secretary of State: voter ID requirements
- Tennessee Secretary of State: first-time voters who registered by mail
Dates on this page were verified against the Tennessee Secretary of State on August 8, 2026. Check the state election calendar.