⚠️ STOP: If you are not in the military, a family member of the military, or an overseas citizen, these instructions do not apply to you and you may not use Form 76. Please refer to the General Absentee Voting Guide instead.
To vote pursuant to this statute, an individual must fall into one of the following categories:
🛡️ Military Personnel & Families
U.S. citizens, residents of TN, and members of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, Merchant Marine), including their spouses and dependents.
✈️ Civilians Outside U.S.
Persons who are United States citizens, residents of Tennessee, and who are currently residing overseas.
🌍 Overseas Citizen
A U.S. citizen who resides outside the U.S. and, but for living outside the U.S., would be qualified to vote in Tennessee.
👶 Persons Born Overseas
A person who has never lived in the U.S. but has a parent who is eligible to vote in TN may vote in TN in the same voting residence claimed by the parent.
📝 The Application Process
1. What is the process for requesting a ballot?
You may request a ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (Form 76 or FPCA). The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides an online version of the Form 76. Fill it out, print it, and sign the application.
2. When may I apply?
Applications may be received no earlier than January 1 of the election year. (If the election is less than 90 days after Jan 1, you may apply up to 90 days before). The absolute deadline to apply is 10 days before the election.
3. How do I submit the request?
The form may be mailed or emailed (via electronic transmission) with an attached document that includes your scanned signature to the county election commission. Following legislative amendments effective January 1, 2026, facsimile (fax) transmissions are no longer an authorized method.
4. How may I receive my absentee ballot?
Tennessee allows you to receive an absentee ballot by mail or e-mail. Indicate your preference on your request (on Form 76, provide your e-mail in Block 2). If you do not specify, it will be mailed. TN does not allow you to receive a ballot by fax.
Missing Information? If you do not provide all required info on the application, the election commission will reject it and return it to you immediately by mail for corrections. If you applied by email, the administrator of elections may also send the rejection notice by email with an attached document advising the reason for rejection.
👤 Must I already be a registered voter?
No. If you meet the qualifications but haven't registered, your Form 76 application will act as a temporary registration. The standard requirement to vote in-person for your first election is waived for military/overseas citizens.
Note: Because this is temporary, once you return to your county of residence in Tennessee, you are legally required to vote in person at the next election you participate in to satisfy state identity verification requirements.
📅 Do I apply for every single election?
No. You will receive absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled elections for the calendar year in which the request is submitted.
It is your responsibility to keep the election office informed of address changes. Ballots will be sent to the original address submitted until further notice.
⏳ Return Deadlines & Tracking
To be counted, your voted ballot must be received by mail by the close of polls on Election Day. You may track the status of your received ballot online using the State Voter Lookup tool.
⚠️ Ruined, missing, or delayed ballot?
If you ruin a ballot, notify the election commission immediately for a replacement.
If you fear there is not enough time to receive and return your official ballot, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). If both ballots arrive in time, the official ballot is counted and the FWAB is rejected.