WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE POLLS

APPLY TO VOTE AT THE REGISTRAR’S TABLE

  • You will go to the appropriate registrar based on the first letter of your last name.
  • The registrar will look up your name in the poll book and have you complete an application for ballot.
  • On your application you will indicate which election you wish to vote in (if more than one is being held).

VIEW VOTING MACHINE DEMONSTRATION

When you first come into the polling place, the first thing you will do is receive a demonstration on how to vote on the new E-Slate Voting Machine

RECEIVE VOTER ACCESS CODE FROM BALLOT CLERK

  • After applying to vote at the registrar’s table, you will then proceed to the ballot clerk.
  • The ballot clerk will issue you a randomly printed 4-digit access code number which you will use to pull up your correct ballot on the E-Slate voting machine.

VOTE ON THE E-SLATE

  • Once you receive your access code number from the ballot clerk, you will then go to an empty voting booth and cast your ballot on the E-Slate.
  • At any time during this process, you may request that an election official assist you in voting.
  • If you request assistance, both the Democratic and Republican Judge must accompany each other in giving you assistance.

IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS

  • If you have moved since the last election but did not update your address with the election commission, you will be sent to the Officer of Elections who will call our office to see which precinct you will need to go to in order to vote based on your new address.
  • If you are at the correct voting precinct based on your new address, then you will have to complete a Change of Address Form (also called a Fail-Safe Form)
  • Once that is complete you will be sent to the ballot clerk to receive your 4-digit voter access code and then proceed to vote.
  • If you are at the wrong precinct, then the Officer of Elections will send you to your correct voting precinct with a completed (Change of Address/Fail-Safe Form).
  • According to election law, you must vote in the precinct in which you live.

IF YOUR NAME IS NOT ON THE POLL BOOKS AT THE PRECINCT YOU APPLY TO VOTE IN

  • You will be sent to the Officer of Elections who will call our office to see if you are registered to vote and if you are at the correct voting precinct. More often than not the voter is at the wrong precinct. If you are registered to vote and at the wrong voting precinct (based on your residence address), the Officer of Elections will direct you to your correct voting precinct.
  • If you are at the correct voting precinct but we cannot find that you are registered to vote, and you claim that you registered to vote at a particular agency, the only alternative that you have is to vote a Provisional Ballot. You will first complete an application to vote by provisional ballot. Then you will be handed a paper ballot to vote on and place in a provisional ballot envelope and deposited in the provisional ballot box. Note- whether or not your provisional vote will count will be based on whether or not we can verify that you actually did register to vote with another agency.

QUESTIONS:

Question: Can I wear a Campaign T-shirt, hat, jacket, etc. into the polling place when I vote?

Answer: No. Tennessee law prohibits anyone from displaying any campaign clothing or soliciting voters within 100 feet from the entrance to the polling place. However, you may do so outside the 100 foot boundary. If you walk into the polling place with a campaign hat on, you will be allowed to vote only if you take off the hat and do not show it to anyone. If you have a campaign shirt on you will be asked to immediately leave the polling place to go home and change. However, if you can cover up the shirt with a jacket so no one else can see it, then you will be allowed to vote. Sorry, this is state law.

Question: Is it OK to have a bumper sticker on my car when I pull into the polling place to vote?

Answer: Yes, but only long enough to go inside the polling place and vote, and then you must remove your vehicle from inside the 100 foot boundary once you have finished voting.