Under Tennessee law, voters are asked to present a photo ID, meeting the requirements below, whether voting early or on Election Day. There are two exceptions, however, to the new law.
WHAT FORM OF PHOTO ID DO I NEED TO BRING?
Tennessee driver’s license with your photo; or United States Passport; or Department of Safety photo ID; or Photo ID issued by the federal government; or United States Military photo ID; or Gun permit card with your photo.
WHAT FORMS OF ID ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE?
A college photo ID or a photo ID not issued by the federal or Tennessee government.
WHO IS EXEMPT?
Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements to vote absentee at http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/bymail.htm) ; voters who are residents in a licensed nursing home or assited living center and who vote at the facility; voters who are hospitalized; voters with a religious objection to being photographed; and voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee.
WHAT IF I DO NOT BRING A PHOTO ID TO THE POLLING PLACE?
If you do not bring a photo ID and you are not exempt (see above exemptions), you must vote a provisional ballot.
You will then have two (2) business days after the election to return to the county election commission office to show a valid photo ID.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A PHOTO ID?
You may obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department of Safety.
For Citizens Without Government-Issued Photo IDs
• Under the new voter ID law, in order to get a photo ID for voting purposes, voters must show the following documentation to a Driver Service Center examiner:
o Proof of being a registered voter (a voter registration card);
o Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate); and
o Two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a copy of a utility bill, vehicle registration/title, or bank statement).
• It is very important to bring these documents to the Driver Service Center. Under the law, you cannot be issued a photo ID without each of these required items. (If you do not have a birth certificate, ask to speak to a Driver Service Center manager who will work with you to identify possible other documentation to prove citizenship).
• For a photo ID, each applicant must also sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury stating that he or she does not have a valid government-issued photo ID for voting purposes.
For Citizens With Non-Photo Driver Licenses
• Any citizen who currently holds a non-photo Tennessee driver license may elect to simply get a photo driver license rather than a separate photo ID.
• If a citizen presents a voter registration card, and the citizen is only seeking to obtain a photo on the driver license, there will be no fee for this service.
To help reduce the wait time for voters who need government-issued photo IDs, these citizens will be placed in an “express service” category when entering a Driver Service Center. Please tell the employee greeting customers that you are at the center for a government-issued photo ID for voting purposes.
Remember, please notify your county election commission if your residence changes.