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Absentee Voting

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Absentee By-Mail Voting

Everything you need to know about requesting, completing, and returning your absentee ballot in Hamilton County.

📋 Am I eligible to vote absentee by-mail?

You can vote absentee by-mail if you fall under one of the following categories:

  • ☑️ You are sixty (60) years of age or older.
  • ☑️ You will be outside the county where you are registered during the early voting period and all day on Election Day.
  • ☑️ You are hospitalized, ill or physically disabled and unable to appear at your polling place. (Physician’s statement not required).
  • ☑️ You are the caretaker of a hospitalized, ill or physically disabled person. (Physician’s statement not required).
  • ☑️ You or your spouse are a full-time student in an accredited college/university in this state outside your registered county. (Out-of-state students qualify under the general "outside the county" provision above).
  • ☑️ You reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility or home for the aged outside your county of residence.
  • ☑️ You are a candidate for office in the election.
  • ☑️ You are observing a religious holiday that prevents you from voting in person during early voting and Election Day.
  • ☑️ You serve as an Election Day official or employee of the election commission.
  • ☑️ You will be unable to vote in-person due to jury duty.
  • ☑️ You have a physical disability and an inaccessible polling place.
  • ☑️ You/your spouse possess a valid CDL or TWIC card, will be working outside the state/county during voting hours, and have no specific out-of-county address for mail. (Must include a photocopy of the CDL/TWIC card).
  • ☑️ You are a member of the military or an overseas citizen.
  • ☑️ You are on the permanent absentee list.

⚠️ NOTE: If you reside in a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, home for the aged, or independent living facility on the same property inside your county of residence, you may not vote absentee by-mail. Election officials (absentee voting deputies) will come to the facility to vote eligible residents, or you may vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.

✉️ How to request an absentee ballot

You may request an absentee ballot no earlier than 90 days before the election and no later than 10 days before the election.

A registered voter must submit a written request containing the 8 items below to the election commission office. You can submit your request by mail or electronic transmission (e-mail) with an attached document that includes your scanned signature. (Following legislative amendments, faxing is no longer an authorized method). You can use our absentee ballot request form to ensure all required info is provided.

Required Information:

  1. Name of the registered voter
  2. Address of the voter's residence
  3. Voter's social security number
  4. Voter's date of birth
  5. Address to mail the ballot (If using the CDL/TWIC provision, provide both a current residential address and a mailing address).
  6. The election you wish to participate in (and political party if a primary).
  7. Reason you wish to vote absentee (If using the CDL/TWIC provision, include a photocopy of the card and the CDL number if applicable).
  8. Voter's signature

🚨 LEGAL NOTICE: A person who is not an employee of an election commission commits a Class E felony if such person gives an application for an absentee ballot to any person or commits a Class A misdemeanor if such person gives an unsolicited request for application for absentee ballot to any person. (T.C.A. § 2-6-202(c)(3) and (4))

Frequently Asked Questions

⏳ What is the deadline to return my ballot?

You must mail your ballot in time for the county election commission to receive it no later than the close of polls on Election Day.

🛑 Can I hand deliver my ballot?

No. You must return your ballot by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Hand delivery to the election office is not permitted by law.

👤 I registered by mail/online. Can I vote absentee?

First-time voters who registered by mail or online at GoVoteTN.gov must appear in-person to vote in their first election, unless they are on the permanent absentee register or enrolled in the Safe at Home program.

🏥 Do I qualify for the permanent absentee list?

You will receive an application for each election if your licensed physician signs a statement (under penalty of perjury) stating you are medically unable to vote in person. This statement must be filed with the county election commission not less than ten (10) days before the election.

Download Physician Statement Form

👁️ Information for Voters with Print Disabilities

If you have a print disability (blindness, low vision, physical paralysis) that prevents you from reading/marking a paper ballot, you may request an accessible electronic ballot. Note: While the blank ballot may be transmitted to you electronically, state law mandates that you must sign the appropriate affidavit and return the voted ballot by mail.

Eligibility & Print Disability Request Form

❌ Missing info, missing ballot, or ruined ballot?

If your application is missing required information, it will be marked "Rejected" and returned to you immediately for corrections. If your ballot is spoiled or not received, legally notify the election commission immediately and a replacement set of supplies will be furnished.

Hamilton County Election Commission   |