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.
Can I complete the online voter registration application on an iPad, tablet or smartphone?
Yes. The system is optimized to work on mobile devices.
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.
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.
How can I apply for certification or continuing education credit?
You may obtain Form #SS-4507, Application for Certification of Municipal Clerks & Recorders and Continuing Education Credit, from our website or upon request from our office.
For certification, the application must be accompanied by a copy of the certificate(s) from the institution(s) at which the qualifications were completed. The certificate(s) (other than a degree) should indicate the number of hours completed. If credit is claimed for job-related seminars, then documents must also be submitted outlining seminar content.
For continuing education credit, the application must be accompanied by a copy of the certificate(s) of attendance and a statement as to the number of credit hours completed. If credit is claimed for job-related seminars, then documents must also be submitted outlining seminar content. Please note that the Division of Business Services does not pre-certify seminars for content applicability or for applicable credit hours. Applications are accepted by mail, fax or in person. Upon receipt and approval of an application, the Division of Business Services will issue to the applicant a certificate confirming the certification or continuing education credit.
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.
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.
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 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
Who must be certified?
A municipality with a population of 1,500 or more according to the 1990 Federal Census or any subsequent Federal Census, which employs an officer or employee responsible for exercising any of the duties of Municipal Clerk & Recorder, must have at least one certified person. For other municipalities, certification is optional.
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.
Is Training available for Application Assistants?
Training is available via WebEx. Please contact Safe at Home directly for scheduling.
Where do homeless persons register to vote?
In order to register to vote in Tennessee, a person does not have to live in a building. Instead, a person who finds himself or herself homeless must describe where the person usually stays or returns to when absent. This location may be the address of a shelter where the person stays or frequents, or it may be the description of a street corner where the person may often rest. A physical description of the location must be given so that the election commission knows in which voting precinct to place the person. T.C.A. 2-2-122.
The election commission must mail voter registration cards to people who register to vote by mail. Therefore, if a homeless person tries to register to vote by mail using an address where the person does not get the mail, the person will have to give a mailing address where he or she can receive mail. For example, a homeless voter may be able to use a shelter as a mailing address or the address of a family member or friend who agrees to receive the mail. Another option is to use General Delivery as a mailing address. However, please note that absentee ballot materials may not be mailed to “general delivery.” T.C.A. 2-2-115 and T.C.A. 2-6-202.
If the voter registration card is returned as undeliverable to the election commission, the voter will be mailed a confirmation notice and placed on inactive status. T.C.A. 2-2-115.
In addition, like all registered voters, a homeless person should let the county election commission know when there are any changes to the mailing address or address where the person is registered to vote.
Am I registered to vote?
To determine if you are a registered voter and view your early vote location(s) or your polling location on Election Day, use our Voter Registration Lookup or use the GoVoteTN app. If no record is found, contact your local county election commission to determine the status of your registration.
Can I register to vote online if I do not have an ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security?
You will not be able to register online since we will not be able to download your signature.
You can still register to vote by filling out a paper form. Remember that you will need a federal or Tennessee government-issued photo ID when you vote in person.
What “Programs or Activities” are covered by Title VI?
To ensure the broad, institution wide application of Title VI and other civil rights statutes Congress passed The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. This act clarifies the definition of “programs and activities” covered by the nondiscrimination provisions of civil rights statutes. The revised definition states that discrimination is prohibited throughout an entire agency or institution, if any part of that agency or institution receives Federal financial assistance.
Examples:
(A) a department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a state or local government; or (B) the entity of such state or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other state or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a state or local government;
(A) a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of education; or system of vocational education, or other school system.
Title VI applies to discrimination throughout an agency, not just to actions involving the federally assisted program. Therefore, if an agency receives any federal financial assistance for any program or activity the entire agency is required to comply with Title VI, not just that particular program. Example: The Harriet Tubman Express program receives money from HUD, the agency /division that Harriet Tubman Express programs are under (Health Services) must also be in compliance with Title VI rules and regulations.
What is Federal Financial Assistance?
Federal financial assistance means more than just money. It is also aid that enhances the ability to improve or expand allocation of a recipient’s own resources.
Examples:
Student aid (releases recipient’s funds for other uses)
Training of employees (permits better use of the employer)
Grants and Loans, tax-exempt bonds
Property
Loan of Personnel
Tax incentives and tax-exempt status
Technical assistance, etc.
Where can I find the online voter registration application?
You can access the online voter registration system here.
Are there any continuing education requirements?
To retain certification, a certified person is required to attend a minimum of 18 hours of continuing education courses every 3 years. This requirement may be met by attending a minimum of 18 credit hours from any of the following or combination thereof, provided that the hours were not used to complete the required hours of education for certification:
The Academy for Advanced Education (U.T.);
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks annual conference or state, provincial or regional clerks meetings;
Seminars conducted by the Tennessee Municipal League;
Leadership and Technical Programs (U.T. Municipal Training); or
Job-related seminars.
Who is exempt from certification?
Any person who is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and who satisfies continuing legal education requirements
Any person who has been appointed or is acting in the capacity of a city manager or administrator and who possesses a M.A. degree in public administration
Any person who is a certified public accountant holding a certificate as provided in Section 62-1-106 or Section 6-1-107
Any person who has served as both a city judge and city recorder for at least 25 years
What are the qualifications for certification?
To be certified, a person must obtain certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks or must complete a minimum of 100 credit hours from any of the following or combination thereof:
The Municipal Clerks Institute (U.T.);
The U.T. Center for Government Training
Seminars conducted by the Tennessee Municipal League;
Leadership and Technical Programs (U.T. Municipal Training);
Job-related seminars; or
An A.A. or A.S. degree (maximum credit of 25 hours) or a B.A. or B.S. degree (maximum credit of 50 hours), provided that credit will be given for only one degree.