You need an ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. We need your signature on file there to sign your application.
If you do not know your Department of Safety and Homeland Security ID number, do not worry. We will use the other information you enter to download your signature.
Is the deadline for online voter registration the same as the deadline for registering by other means?
Yes. Normally, you must register at least 30 days before Election Day. You can check upcoming deadlines on the election calendar.
Will online voter registration update my name or address with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security?
No. Learn more about updating your record with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security here.
How do I sign the online voter registration application?
We will use your signature from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
You may request an absentee by-mail ballot no earlier than ninety (90) days before the election and no later than seven (7) days before the election. To be processed for the next election, the application must be received by the election commission no later than seven (7) days before the election.
How is a case initiated?
Cases are opened with the Administrative Procedures Division (APD) by the state or local government agency for whom APD is hearing the case. An individual or business who wants to appeal a government agency’s ruling will file an appeal with that agency. The agency then refers that appeal to APD. Individuals do not open cases directly with APD.
For example, if a property owner wants to appeal their county property tax, the owner will file an appeal with the respective county’s board of equalization. If the property owner wants to appeal further, beyond the county, then the property owner will file an appeal with the State Board of Equalization. It is the State Board of Equalization that then refers the appeal and opens a case with APD.
For another example, if someone is denied coverage of a medical service by TennCare and wants to appeal that denial, that individual will appeal to TennCare. TennCare will then refer the appeal and open a case with APD.
There are two exceptions to this process: 1) an individual property owner and a municipality disagree as to whether the property has been annexed by the municipality (TCA 8-3-102). For these cases, the property owner or the municipality may file a complaint against the opposing party with the secretary of state. 2) a public official challenges a fraudulent lien against his or her property (TCA 47-9-513). For these cases, the office where the lien is being filed forwards the challenge to APD.
What is the deadline to return my ballot so it can be counted?
You must mail your ballot in time for your county election commission to receive it no later than the close of polls on Election Day.
Can I complete the online voter registration application on an iPad, tablet or smartphone?
Yes. The system is optimized to work on mobile devices.
Where does APD get its authority?
Generally, APD gets its authority from the Tennessee General Assembly through the laws they adopt, specifically the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-101, et seq.) In addition, many Tennessee statutes require state agencies to comply with the UAPA in conducting certain types of cases. For example, the TEAM Act requires that certain state employee disciplinary cases be conducted in accordance with the UAPA (Tenn. Code Ann. §8-30-318) and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security must conduct procedures about property that might be forfeited to the State under the provisions of the UAPA (Tenn. Code Ann. §8-30-318). APD also contracts with local governments to conduct employee disciplinary proceedings and with colleges and universities to hold hearings required by Title IX.
Where can I file a complaint or share a concern?
If you want to appeal the decision made in your case, then you should follow the instructions given here and as attached to your order.
If you are concerned about the ethics, demeanor, or conduct of APD employees, including APD support staff or ALJs, then please send your complaint in writing to the Director of APD.
What does Title VI do?
Prohibits entities from denying an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit because of race, color or national origin.
Prohibits entities from providing a different service or benefit or providing these in a different manner from those provided to others under the program.
Prohibits segregation or separate treatment in any manner related to receiving program services or benefits.
Prohibits entities from requiring different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals.
Encourages the participation of minorities as members of planning or advisory bodies for programs receiving federal funds.
Prohibits discriminatory activity in a facility built in whole or part with Federal funds.
Requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of beneficiaries are of limited English speaking ability.
Requires entities to notify the respective population about applicable programs.
Prohibits locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a Federally funded service or benefit.
Requires assurance of nondiscrimination in purchasing of services.
Can I hand deliver my ballot to the election office?
No. You must return your ballot by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.).
Who does APD work for?
APD is a division of the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office, which is within the Legislative Branch of Tennessee state government. APD employs a central panel of judges who are independent of the Executive Branch and the agencies whose cases are heard before them. This independence ensures that an extra layer of due process protection is afforded to all parties involved in each case.
Is additional information required to vote absentee by-mail if I am a first-time voter who registered to vote by-mail?
Unless you are on the permanent absentee voting register, enrolled in the Safe at Home program, or you have previously voted in the county of registration, you must appear in-person to vote in the first election after you have registered by-mail or online at GoVoteTN.gov.
I got married and changed my last name. Do I need to reregister under my new name?
You do not have to re-register, but please go ahead and update your existing registration. Updating your name now keeps the rolls accurate and reduces the amount of paperwork you will have to fill out when you go vote.
Who must comply?
State and local government: Agencies distributing federal assistance or entities distributing federal assistance to the state or local government entity.
Higher education: college, university, or other post-secondary institution
Local education agency or system of vocational education, or other school system
An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship
The entire plant or private corporation or other organization which is a geographically separate facility to which federal financial assistance is extended.
What is Title VI?
Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says, ”No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C.§2000d
Can I update my voter registration information through the online voter registration application?
Yes, you can use the system to update your name or address.
Who pays for cases heard by APD?
APD is partially funded through the Secretary of State’s budget as allocated by the Tennessee General Assembly. In addition, APD charges government agencies $200 to open a case and $100 per hour, after the first two hours, for a judge’s time spent on an individual case. Each government agency and type of case may have specific rules that determine if and how that government agency may recoup some of the costs of a case from the other party.
What does Title VI not do?
Does not apply to Federal assistance provided through insurance or guaranty contracts, (e.g. FHA loan insurance).
Does not apply to employment, except where employment practices result in discrimination against program beneficiaries or where the purpose of the Federal assistance is to provide employment.
Does not apply to direct benefit programs such as Social Security.
Does not apply only to contracts and set-aside programs.
Can Non-resident Property Owners Register to Vote?
Otherwise qualified voters who own real property within a municipality in which they do not live may register to vote if the municipal charter extends the right to vote to non-resident property owners. Non-resident property owners must provide proof of property ownership at the time of registration. Consult local election commission offices for further information or the city attorney of the municipality in which property is owned. T.C.A. 2-2-107.
You will receive an application for ballot for each election if your licensed physician signs a statement stating that, in their judgment, you are medically unable to vote in person. The statement must be filed not less than seven (7) days before the election and signed under the penalty of perjury.
What types of cases does APD hear and how many?
APD considers cases from most state agencies, various city and county governmental agencies, and state universities resulting in over 430 different types of cases. On average over 8,100 cases are referred to APD each year. The majority of these cases involve property tax appeals, TennCare appeals, and appeals from the seizure of an individual’s assets.
I moved from a different state. Am I allowed to register to vote in Tennessee?
Yes. Learn more about the qualifications to register here.
How do I contact other State Agencies?
For some questions you may have regarding your case, you may be instructed that your question is better directed to the government agency that is the opposing party in your case rather than to APD. You should direct those questions to the opposing attorney who represents the government agency or contact the government agency using the contact information contained in your Notice of Hearing or Notice of Hearing and Charges.
One example may be a question regarding how you are to pay the cost for your case. APD charges each government agency based upon the hours spent on each case. Each government agency has different rules and policies on if they can then in turn charge the petitioner. If you have been billed for your case, you would have been billed by the government agency involved in your case, not by APD. Questions regarding those charges should, therefore, be addressed to the government agency involved in your case.
How does Title VI apply to Public Policy?
Title VI is a mechanism that directs the federal financial assistance, which drives or promotes economic development. By legislative mandate, Title VI examines the following public policy issues:
Accessibility for all persons
Infrastructure development
Accountability in public funds expenditures
Minority participation in decision making
Disparate impact
Program service delivery
Economic empowerment
Public-Private partnerships in part or whole with public funds
Environmental Justice
Site and location of facilities
Will I be notified if my online voter registration has been received and is accepted?
Yes. Your county election commission will mail you a voter registration card when they have accepted your application. This can take up to three weeks.
Can I vote online?
No. You can vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, or you can absentee vote by mail if you meet certain requirements.
May I track my absentee ballot?
Yes. Go to Tennessee’s voter lookup page on the Division of Elections homepage. Enter your information and you will be able to track when the ballot was received by the local county election commission office. If you need assistance, contact your local county election commission office.
Is Training available for Application Assistants?
Training is available via WebEx. Please contact Safe at Home directly for scheduling.