Getting Ready for November 2026’s Election
Election season is here in Tennessee! On November 3, 2026, eligible Tennesseans will head to the polls to vote. A little planning can make voting easier.
DISCLAIMER: The voter registration deadline for the November 3rd election was on October 5, 2026. It is important to check your voter registration status to know if you are eligible to cast a ballot. Click here to check your Tennessee voter registration status.
Registered to vote and want to learn more? Keep reading for:
Part 1: Making a voting plan
Part 2: What to expect at the polls
Part 3: Learn what’s on the ballot
Part 3: Absentee Voting 101
Part 1: Making a voting plan
Making a voting plan can help you feel more prepared and confident before Election Day. Whether you plan to vote absentee by mail, during early voting, or on Election Day, taking a few minutes to plan ahead can make the process easier (and hopefully less scary).
As you work through the steps below, write down information information such as when you plan to vote, where you will vote, and what you want to remember when you fill out your ballot.
CAN I WRITE MY VOTING PLAN DOWN IN MY PHONE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE?
PLAIN LANGUAGE OVERVIEW
Yes. You can bring your phone, tablet, or other communication device into the voting booth to look at notes, a voting plan, or other information that helps you make your decisions.
Just remember:
– Keep your device silent.
– Do not make phone calls.
– Do not take photos or videos.
– Do not record inside the polling place.
TENNESSEE LAW
(a) A county election commission shall not prohibit a voter from using a mobile electronic or communication device at a polling place for informational purposes to assist the voter in making election decisions. A county election commission may require that any mobile electronic or communication device be silenced while in use at the polling place.
(b) Any voter using a mobile electronic or communication device as allowed in subsection (a) shall be prohibited from using the device for telephone conversations, recording, or taking photographs or videos while inside the polling place. (See TN Code § 2-7-142 (2025))
Step 1: Check Your Voter Registration Status
The first step is to make sure you are registered to vote and that your voter registration information is correct. Click here to check your status and check:
– Are you registered to vote?
– Is your name spelled correctly?
– Is your address up to date?
Knowing your registration status ahead of time can help avoid surprises when it is time to vote.
Step 2: Decide How You Want to Vote
Next, decide how you would like to cast your ballot. Tennessee offers several ways for eligible voters to vote:
– Early Voting: Vote in-person before Election Day.
– Absentee Voting: Vote by mail if you qualify. [Click here to learn more about absentee voting]
– Election Day Voting: Vote in-person on Election Day (November 3, 2026)
Once you decide how you want to vote, write it down as part of your voting plan.
Step 3: Find Your Voting District
Your voting district helps determine which candidates and questions will appear on your ballot when you vote.
1: Visit GoVoteTN: Information for Voters (https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn)
2: Click “View Polling Locations and Hours”
3: Search either by “Voter” or “Address”
4: Click on “Districts”
Take a second to write down your districts:
– US House ______________________
– TN Senate ______________________
– TN House ______________________
– Judicial ______________________
– County ______________________
– Municipal ______________________
Step 4: Find Your Polling Location
If you plan to vote absentee, you can skip this step and go to Step 5.
If you plan to vote in person, it is important to know where you will vote before leaving home.
– Early Voting: Many counties in Tennessee offer more than one early voting location. Check with your county election commission to find available locations and hours. You can choose the location that works best for you.
– Election Day Voting: You must vote at your assigned polling place. Make sure you know where it is before Election Day.
Write down the name and address of your polling location, along with the day you plan to vote.
EXTRA: Write down how you plan to get there, such as driving yourself, getting a ride from a friend or family member, using public transportation, or using a rideshare service.
Part 2: What to expect at the polls
When you arrive at your polling place, a poll worker will help you check in. You will need to show an approved photo ID and sign a ballot application. Tennessee accepts several types of photo ID, including a Tennessee driver license, a Tennessee photo ID, and some other state and federal photo IDs. You can find a list of accepted IDs on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website by clicking here.
The poll worker will check to make sure you are at the right polling location, your information is correct and up to date, and then tell you what to do next. Depending on your county, election workers may use a computer or a paper list during check-in.
After you check in, an election worker or machine technician will take you to a voting machine and make sure it is ready to use. Voting machines may look different from county to county, but you will be able to make your choices in private.
If you need help at any time, you have options. You can bring someone you trust to help you vote, or you can ask a poll worker for assistance. If you need help marking your ballot or using the voting equipment, help is available. No matter who helps you, you still get to make your own choices.
Need help? Let someone know!
Everyone has the right to vote, including people with disabilities.
If you have trouble getting into your polling place, using the voting equipment, or getting the help you need, tell a poll worker right away. Explain the problem and ask for help. Many issues can be fixed at the polling place.
If the problem is not fixed, contact your local election commission. Click here to find your County Election Commission’s contact information. You can also contact Disability Rights Tennessee by phone at 1-800-342-1660, for information about your voting rights and help with accessibility issues.
Learn more through the five (5) part Poll Worker Training Series below. This video series was created by Disability Rights Tennessee in collaboration with the Adelicia Company.
5-Part Poll Worker Training Series
Part 3: Learn what’s on your ballot
Before you vote, take some time to find out what will be on your ballot. Your ballot may include local, state, and federal races, as well as ballot questions. Recent changes to Tennessee’s congressional districts may affect which U.S. House race appears on your ballot. You can learn more about these changes in our blog, Understanding Tennessee’s Recent Special Session.
Here are some of the offices and questions you may see on your ballot:
1. LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES: Some voters will elect “municipal officials,” such as city mayors, commissioners, or other local officials.
2. STATE OFFICES:
– Governor of Tennessee
– Tennessee State Senate: Seats in odd-numbered districts only. [Find your district here.]
– Tennessee House of Representatives: All 99 seats are on the ballot. The candidates on your ballot depend on where you live.
3. FEDERAL OFFICES:
– U.S. Senate
– U.S. House of Representatives: Your congressional district may have changed. [Find your district here.]
4. BALLOT QUESTIONS OR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS: Ballot questions and proposed changes to the Tennessee Constitution are separate from choosing candidates. Be sure to review these questions before Election Day so you know what to expect when you vote.
One way to prepare for voting is to review a sample ballot before Election Day. A sample ballot shows the candidates and questions you may see when you vote. You may receive a sample ballot in the mail, or you can find one on your county election commission’s website.
As you review your sample ballot, take time to learn about the candidates and issues. Websites like Vote411.org provide nonpartisan information to help voters learn more about the people running for office.
A helpful tip is to mark your choices on your sample ballot before you leave home. You can bring it with you and use it as a guide while voting. This can help you remember the choices you researched and make voting easier, especially if your ballot includes many races or questions.
Part 4: Absentee Voting 101
In Tennessee, some voters can vote by mail using an absentee ballot. To vote absentee, you must meet certain requirements. For example, you may qualify if you are 60 or older, have a disability that makes your polling place inaccessible, are unable to vote in person because of an illness or disability, or meet another eligibility requirement. [Read the Guide to Absentee Voting]
If you qualify, you must request an absentee ballot from your county election commission. You must request your absentee ballot by Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Follow all instructions for completing and returning your ballot. Your completed ballot must be received by your county election commission before the polls close on Election Day (November 3, 2026). You cannot return or drop off your absentee ballot in person.
Need Help or Want to Connect?
You can reach out to DRT 24/7. All requests for help are reviewed during agency business hours (8:00 am-4:30pm CST/9:00 am-5:30 pm EST). Contact DRT by voice call/text at 1-800-342-1660, by email at GetHelp@DisabilityRightsTN.org, or by online form at www.DisabilityRightsTN.org/Get-Help/
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