Pre-18 voter registration in
Tennessee
In Tennessee 89,825
people turn 18 every year.
Tennesseans can 
pre-register before turning 18.
To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be: 18 by Aug 6th, 2026. That means most eligible seniors and many juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote. 
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Tennessee
Upcoming 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
When submitting your application by mail in Tennessee, you are required to 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
not have been convicted of a felony, but if convicted, your eligibility to register and vote depends upon the crime you were convicted of and the date of your conviction. If your conviction has been expunged, you are not considered to have a felony conviction
<em>You can find more information on voting rights restoration here</em>
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing a registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification for voter registration includes: current and valid photo identification or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.
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 Apr 1st, 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 Mar 27th, 2026.
See More
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
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