Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am a resident of Davidson County, where do I mail my
Voter Registration Form in order to register by mail?
A: You should mail your completed form to:
Davidson County Election Commission
P. O. Box 650
Nashville, TN 37202
Q: Why do you have to choose a political party before you can get to vote
on election day?
A: The only time a voter is required to indicate the party
he/she wishes to vote for is during a primary election. A primary election
is an election held for a political party for the purpose of allowing members
of that party to select a nominee or nominees to appear on the General
Election Ballot. Therefore in order to vote in a primary, you must declare
that you wish to vote as a member of that political party.
Q: What are the general rules for running for an elected position?
A: Rules for appearing on a ballot as a candidate for an office
vary depending on whether the office is local or state. Generally, a candidate
must be (1) a resident of the county/district/state in which he/she wishes
to run for office (length of residency varies depending on the office);
(2) a registered voter; and (3) a member of the political party for which
he/she wishes to run (unless the candidate is seeking a non-partisan office
or is running as independent). Some offices require a minimum age, i.e.
State Representative/21 years; State Senator/30 years. See the Candidate
Requirements page for more details.
Q: What is the electoral college and how does one become an elector?
A: The electoral college is a body of electors established
by the U.S. Constitution to select the president and Vice-President of
the United States. Electors are chosen for a state proportional to its
combined number of senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress. One
elector is selected for each legislative district in a state plus two at
large electors for that state. For Tennessee, that number is 11. Political
parties nominate electors who are then selected by the voters. Once confirmed,
electors cast their ballots for candidates of their own political party.
Q: What is a delegate?
A: Delegates are local party representatives at local area
caucuses according to city council districts. These delegates will then
help in the formation of the party's agenda and they also elect the local
party officers; voting members of a party on matters of party leadership
which may include participation in state and national conventions or caucuses.
Q: What is an Executive Committee person? What are the duties and terms
of office?
A: Tennessee law requires that each political party have a
State Executive Committee which represents the primary board for the party.
Members of the State Executive Committee for each party are elected at
the regular August Primary proceeding the election of Governor. In each
party's primary, its voters in each senatorial district elect (1) man,
(1) woman as members of the State Executive Committee for terms of (4)
years beginning on September 15th following their election.
Q: Can a politician keep all the money that he/she raises?
A: At the close of financial reporting periods for each election,
a candidate may transfer any remaining funds over to a new campaign account,
but a candidate may not keep funds for his personal use.
Q: What are normal campaign expenditures?
A: Currently, there are no limits to the maximum amount a candidate
may receive as financial contribution nor on spending toward his/her campaign.
Q: How long are these terms: Mayor, Governor, Senator and Representatives?
A: Office terms (and limits) are as follows:
- President - 4 years (2 terms)
- Governor – 4 years (2 terms)
- U. S. Senator - 6 years (unlimited)
- U. S. Representative – 2 years (unlimited)
- State Senator – 4 years (unlimited)
- State Representative - 2 years (unlimited)
- Mayor - 4 years (2 terms)
- Vice-Mayor – 4 years (2 terms)
- At-Large Council Members – 4 years (2 terms)
- District Council Members – 4 years (2 terms)
Q: How are votes counted?
A: The method of counting votes depends on the method of voting.
If electronic voting machines are used, the cartridge inside the machine
records each vote and provides a running total of votes entered on that
machine. At the conclusion of an election, these cartridges are removed
from the voting machine and, 1-5-1, inserted in a counting device that
totals the votes from all machine cartridges. If paper ballots are used,
these ballots are manually counted. The Davidson County Election Commission
has a "scanner" available for the counting of paper ballots used
in elections. This process is similar to voting on paper ballot, except
the ballot will be printed on specially prepared paper and the voter will
mark the ballot with a pencil. The scanner will then "read" the
vote from the ballot and keep a count of the total votes casts for each
candidate.
Q: What is a run-off election?
A: A run-off election is a special election held when candidates
in a preceding general election fail to get sufficient votes to win an
election. For example, a race for mayor or a district Metro Council seat
requires the winner to receive "50% + 1 of the total votes cast". The two
candidates who receive the largest number of votes, but fail to get the
required "50% + 1" must run against each other in a run-off election. Council-at-Large
elections require winners to receive 10% of the aggregate number of votes
cast for that office.
Q: What does the Election Commission do?
A: A county election commission has the statutory responsibilities
of registering voters and conducting elections.
Q: What is voter apathy?
A: Voter apathy is the refusal of a citizen to cast his/her
vote, usually as a result of frustration over government inefficiency.
Q: How do I register to vote? Is it free?
A: Voter registration is free. Qualifications to register to
vote: You must be at least 18 years old (or 18 on or before the next scheduled
election day); a U.S. citizen or naturalized citizen; a resident of Tennessee;
and your voting privileges must not be restricted because of a conviction
as a felon. Registration may be in person (at the county election commission
office) or by mail (post card registration forms are available at area
libraries and post offices). After January 1, 1995, you will be able to
apply for voter registration at the same time you apply for a driver's
license. You will also be able to apply for registration at the office
of the County Clerk, the Register of Deeds, Department of Veterans' Affairs,
and local branches of the Armed Forces.
Q: How can you make a politician keep his/her promises?
A: Voting is one effective way of keeping office holders accountable
for their promises. Districts that have high voter turn outs have representatives
that respond to what its constituents want; districts that have low voter
turn outs usually have non-responsive politicians that stay in office election
after election.
Q: How is the Director of the Election Commission decided upon?
A: The "Director of the Election Commission" is statutorily referred to
as "Administrator of Elections". That position is appointed by the county
election commissioners. Davidson County has (5) commissioners. Three of
those commissioners are selected from the party of the majority in the
General Assembly of the Tennessee Legislature. The remaining two are representatives
of the minority party.
Q: What does suffrage mean?
A: Suffrage is the right to vote. There have been many movements
in the United States to extend the right to vote.
Q: What does veto mean?
A: Veto comes from the latin "to forbid". The power of a veto is used by
certain government officials to prevent, temporarily or permanently, a
bill from becoming a law.
Q: When is a vote count official?
A: The vote count is official once it has been certified by
the election commission.
Q: What should I do if I have changed my address?
A: If you are going to stay in the same county, you may change
your address by making the change of address on the back of your voter
registration card and mailing it to your county election commission office
or by completing and sending in a change of address form. If you are moving
to another county or state, you must re-register in the county of your
new address. The election commission in the county to which you are moving
can give you further information on registration procedures there.
Q: What are committees in the General Assembly?
A: Committees are small groups of legislators that are designed
to allow more detailed study and consideration of issues that will come
before the entire legislative body without the necessity of long complicated
meetings of that full body. When the committee makes its reports and recommendations
to the full body, each member will have the opportunity to discuss and
consider the matter prior to voting on the issue. Currently, there are
21 committees in the General Assembly of Tennessee.
Q: Can I vote if I've been to prison?
A: The privilege of voting may be denied if you are convicted
of a felony. Also relevant is when the conviction occurred and under what
circumstances. For further information, please see Tennessee Code Annotated
(T.C.A.) 2-2-139, 40-29-101, and 40-29-105. All felons should be directed
to the Absentee/Early Voting Coordinator.
Q: Is it against the law not to register to vote?
A: There is no law requiring citizens to register to vote.
Q: Why are there so many candidates? Is there a limit to how many people
can run for one office?
A: There is no limit to the number of candidates who may run
for office. Any person who meets the statutory or municipal qualifications
may appear on the ballot if they file their nominating petitions by the
specific deadline. For more information on "nominating petitions", see
T.C.A. 2-5-101.
Q: Are elected officials suppose to endorse candidates?
A: There is no law prohibiting elected officials from endorsing
the candidate of their choice.
Q: What is a paper ballot and when are they used?
A: Paper ballots are separately printed ballots on which names
of qualified candidates are used. They are used during Early Voting and
Absentee Voting and any time a voter wishes to "write in" a candidate of
his/her choice. They may also be used when a voter's right to vote is challenged
by an official and it becomes necessary for that vote to be decided upon
by the Absentee COunting Board. Finally, a paper ballot may also be used
when a voter requires the assistance of another person in order to vote
(i.e., a visually impaired voter).
Q: What is redistricting?
A: Redistricting is the process of redrawing legislative lines
to correspond with any shifts in populations as evidenced by the Federal
Census Report.
Q: Is it possible to vote for a Democrat for one office and a Republican
for another?
A: One may vote for a candidate of one party seeking an office
and a candidate of another party seeking a different office during a general
election; however, during a primary election, a voter must select the party
in which he/she wishes to vote and vote for candidates that appear on that
party's ballot.
Q: What is a primary election?
A: A primary election is a nominating process. Candidates who
emerge from a primary appear on the General Election ballot even if there
is no opposition in the General Election.
Q: What is Absentee Voting?
A: Prior to the August 4, 1994 election, voters who could not
vote on election day were permitted to vote during the Absentee Voting
period. In order to vote absentee, the voter had to apply for a ballot
and state the reason why he/she would not be available to vote on the next
scheduled election day. With early voting, any voter may vote "early" and
not need to provide a reason for wanting to vote early. Active voters may
cast their vote during this period of early voting at either the county
election commission office or one of its satellites.
Q: Can I change my vote after I've voted in the voting machine?
A: A vote cannot be changed once the voter has "voted". A voter should
be certain of their choices before pressing the "green" button on the voting
machine.
Q: How old must you be to vote?
A: In 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age across
the nation to 18. This means one must be at least 18 years of age on or
before the next election day to vote.
Q: When did women get to vote in Tennessee?
A: Tennessee became the 36th state to allow women the right
to vote on August 20, 1920. Tennessee then became the final state needed
for the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave all women age 21
and older the right to vote.
Q: When did black Americans get the right to vote?
A: The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in
1870 following the Civil War. This amendment guaranteed the right to vote
to all men age 21 and older regardless of race or ethnic background.
Q: What is a referendum?
A: Referendum is a means of getting public concerns on the
ballot. Generally, getting a referendum on the ballot requires petitioners
to get signatures for 10% of voters from the previous general election
and such petitions are also subject to deadlines presented to the Metro
Clerk/State Legislature on a certain deadline before an election.
Q: When do I have to register to vote?
A: You may register at any time but must register no later
than 30 days before the election in which you wish to vote.
Q: I just moved here. Can I register right away?
A: Yes, you can register as soon as you become a resident of
Tennessee.
Q: How will I know if I'm a registered voter?
A: You will receive your voter registration card about two
weeks after your form has been processed by the county election commission
and at that time you will be a registered voter. If you have registered
by mail, you must vote in person either at your appropriate polling place
or the county election commission office the first time after you register.
Q: How can I find out where to go vote?
A: The address of your polling place is listed on your voter
registration card. Voters may directly contact the facility to get directions
to their voting location.
Q: I won't be able to vote on election day. What can I do?
A: From the 20th day to the 5th day before the election, you
can vote at the county election commission office or its satellite locations.
This is called "early voting" and applies to all voters. Call your county
election commission for places and times for early voting.
Q: I'll be out of town both during early voting and also election day.
How can I vote?
A: Not more than 60 days and no later than 7 days before an
election, you may request an absentee ballot from the county election commission
in person or by mail. Your request must include your name, address, Social
Security number, the address to which you wish the ballot to be mailed,
the election or elections in which you wish to vote, and the reason you
wish to vote absentee. You must mail the absentee ballot which you will
receive in time to reach the election commission on or before election
day.
Q: If I have to move to another state just before a Presidential Election,
does that mean that I will lose my vote?
A: No, you will not lose your vote in a national election if
you move to another state less than 30 days before an election day. You
can vote either by Absentee Ballot or return to the county where you are
registered and vote there in person. Remember, this does not apply to state
or local elections. See T.C.A. 2-2-103.
Q: I'm a college student. Can I vote in the community where my school
is located?
A: Yes, you can register and vote in the precinct in which
your school is located. Just follow the registration procedures and vote
at the place indicated on your voter registration card. If you are a full-time
student but in a county other than where you live, you may want to vote
by Absentee Ballot.
Q: How many government districts are there in Tennessee?
A: Two U.S. Senators each represent all the voters in Tennessee,
and there are nine districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. The
Tennessee General Assembly is divided into the Senate with 33 districts
and the House of Representatives with 99 districts. In addition, your local
county and municipality may also be divided into districts. Davidson County
includes four (4) main state senate districts and ten (10) state representative
districts.
Q: How can I find out in which of those districts I live?
A: The district numbers of your Tennessee Senate, Tennessee
House, and any applicable county or municipal representatives are listed
on the front of your voter registration card. If you have not yet registered
or cannot find your voter registration card, call your county election
commission and they will advise you of your district representatives.
Q: How can I find out who my representatives are in each of those districts?
A: You can call your county election commission, your public
library or your local League of Women Voters for help. Their numbers may
be found in your local telephone directory.
Q: What are the dates of election?
A: Elections for President, Vice-President, U.S. Senators and
Representatives, Governor, General Assembly Senators and Representatives,
and Public Service Commissioners are held on the first Tuesday after the
first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.
Elections for judicial and county officials and state primary
elections are held on the first Thursday of August of every even-numbered
year. Referendums and other municipal elections may also be held on one
of those dates.
Not every office has to be filled every year. For instance,
the President runs for office only every four years, not every even-numbered
year.
Q: How can I find out who is running for office this year?
A: Your best source of information is your local newspaper
and radio or television news casts. Political party headquarters and county
election commission also may answer brief questions and in some cases,
may have printed lists of candidates. A sample ballot usually appears in
the newspaper a few days before the election. Your local League of Women
Voters may also be able to help you.
Q: Can I write in the name of someone who is not on the ballot?
A: Yes, provisions are made for write-in votes at every polling
place. Just ask for a "write-in" ballot when you sign in.
Q: Where can I find out something about the candidates?
A: Newspaper stories about the candidates and announcements
of public forums and de bates will be published several weeks before an
election. You may call or write the headquarters of any of the candidates
for further information on their backgrounds and positions. Candidate addresses
and telephone numbers may be obtained from directory assistance, the county
election commission or from your local League of Women Voters.
Q: After I've registered and voted, will I have to register again before
each election?
A: All registered persons may vote in all future elections
if their registration is not purged by a county election commission for
one of the following reasons:
- The request of the voter.
- Change of name except by marriage.
- Not having citizenship rights restored as required by law after being convicted of a crime which is a felony. Residential address changes should be made in order to vote in state and county elections.
Q: I have a fax machine. Can I use that instead of the mail when I vote?
A: In the latest change of election laws, provisions were made
to allow voters to apply for Absentee Ballot by fax mail from those county
election commissions which have one located in their office. Call your
local county election commission to find out about the availability of
fax service for its voters. See T.C.A. 2-6-202(3).
Q: I'm a senior citizen. Are there any special provisions stating where
I may vote?
A: On election day, you may vote in the precinct in which you
are registered. During early voting, you may vote at any early voting satellite
location in the county. Or if you are 65 years of age or older, you may
request an Absentee Ballot by mail.
Q: What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
A: The 1974 campaign finance reform laws directed that group
contributions of $5000 or less to any single candidate be contributed to
campaigns through political action committees. PAC(s) may be corporate,
labor, trade, or private interest.
Q: How does a bill become a law?
A: Bills may originate in either House, each bill will generally
have a companion bill in the House opposite from its origination.
A companion bill is simply an identical bill to the original bill but sponsored
by a member of the opposite House. For example, if a member of the House
of Representatives introduces a bill in the House, this is the origin of
that bill. In order to assure that the bill will be considered in a timely
manner by both the House and the Senate, a member of the Senate will introduce
an identical bill in the Senate and this will be the companion bill.