Pre-18 voter registration in Tennessee
In Tennessee 85,457 people turn 18 every year.
Tennesseans can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be: 18 by Aug 6th, 2026. (18 by the next primary or general election).
That means most eligible seniors and some juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18.
Learn more about the voter registration gap in Tennessee.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Tennessee
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Aug 6th, 2026 - Tennessee Primary Election (Register by Jul 7th, 2026)
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Tennessee General Election (Register by Oct 5th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Tennessee.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Tennessee.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Tennessee, you must provide your full Social Security number, if you have one.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Tennessee you must:
be a United States citizen
be a Tennessee resident
be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
have not been convicted of a felony, or if you have a felony conviction that caused you to lose your voting rights, you must have had your conviction expunged or had your voting rights restored, unless you were convicted of a crime that rendered you permanently ineligible to vote
You can find more information on voting rights restoration here
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
If you submit your voter registration form by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote after registering.
Online Instructions
To register online in Tennessee, you need your Social Security number and ONE of the following: Tennessee driver's license or Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security ID. If you submit a voter registration application online and are registering for the first time in your county, you must vote in person the first time after registering. If you enrolled in the Safe At Home program or permanent absentee voting, you are not required to vote in person for the first time.
More information here.
Tennessee High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
Tennessee Requirements for High School Voter Registration
Public high schools are designated as voter registration agencies.
High schools are required to distribute voter registration forms, assist with completion, and transmit forms to election officials.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
