The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 8 election in Tennessee is Nov.
There is a wide range of eligibility requirements for registered voters in the state to vote by mail.
The eligibility list includes the following:
Those requesting an absentee ballot are encouraged to fill out a request form to their local election commission office, which includes the following information:
A request that contains the above-mentioned information will be processed and a ballot will be mailed to the voter. Ballots must be returned via mail (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.) to the local election commission office no later than the close of polling locations on Nov. 8. A request for an absentee ballot may also be printed from the website at GoVoteTN.gov. To prevent absentee bymail voter fraud, ballots are watermarked and election officials match the signature on the envelope with the one on file.
Absentee by-mail ballots are not opened until Election Day and are counted by local bipartisan counting boards.
Tennessee was determined by The Heritage Foundation to have the most-secured elections in the nation. Voters must present a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot at polling locations. The Secretary of State’s office noted voting machines in Tennessee are not connected to the internet.
The early-voting period for the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 19 through Nov. 3. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 11. For more information on registering to vote, registration status, address changes and absentee ballot requests in Lake County, contact the election commission office at 731-253-7521 or visit the office at 217 S. Court St., Tiptonville, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The office is closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m. daily.