HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Are you registered to vote? Are you sure?
Voter registration is not automatic in the U.S. And you may be surprised to learn that in some states, voter registration is not permanent. If you haven't voted in a while, or you've moved and not updated your registration, you can be removed from the state's voter rolls.
Registering to vote is important, but so is knowing your registration status. Things can change and you may think you're okay until election day rolls around and you're no longer eligible to vote.
"So, sometimes your registration can lapse if you haven't voted in a while, if you've moved your precinct can change, your representation can change, so you really need to know where you're registered to vote, keep that up to date. And you just wanna make sure that before the next upcoming election, these things can sneak up on you, or before a primary election, you just wanna make sure that you are registered at your current address, that your registration is up to date, that you're registered to the right precinct cause you know, if you go and your registration has lapsed on election day you can't address that, you just won't be able to vote," said League of Women Voters of the Tennessee Valley volunteer Sarah Bang.
How do I register to vote?
Alabama residents, including students and those in the military, can register online here. Voter registration forms are also available at county offices, most public libraries, and during community voter registration drives. In Alabama, the deadline to register to vote in an election is 14 days before the election.
Tennessee residents, including students and those in the military, can register online here. Voter registration forms are also available at county offices, most public libraries, and during community voter registration drives You must be properly registered no later than thirty (30) days before the election you want to vote in.
How do I check my voter registration status?
Because voter rolls can be purged, it's important to check your voter registration status well before election day. In Alabama, click here to check your status. In Tennessee, click here to check your status.
In Alabama, victims of domestic violence can ask that their addresses be kept off of public voter lists. That form is here.
In Tennessee, the Safe at Home Program is open to all victims of domestic abuse, stalking, human trafficking, rape, sexual battery, or any other sexual offense who satisfy eligibility and application requirements at no cost.
Do I need ID to vote in Alabama or Tennessee?
Alabama requires photo ID to vote. The list of acceptable IDs is specific, but if you don't have any of them, you can get a free Voter ID card.
Valid ID at the Polls
A voter can use any of the following forms of photo ID at the polls starting June 3, 2014:
- Valid Driver's License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Driver's License
- Valid Non-driver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Non-driver ID
- Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID
- Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state)
- Valid AL Department of Corrections Release- Temporary ID (Photo Required)
- Valid AL Movement/Booking Sheet from Prison/Jail System (Photo Required)
- Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required)
- Valid Federal Issued ID
- Valid US Passport
- Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, or other entity of this state
- Valid student or employee ID from a college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)
- Valid Military ID
- Valid Tribal ID
Tennessee also requires photo ID to vote. The requirements are different from those in Alabama.
Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:
- Tennessee driver license with your photo
- United States Passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- United States Military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo
What IDs are not acceptable?
College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government are NOT acceptable. This includes county or city-issued photo IDs, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states.
Who is exempt?
- Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements here)
- Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
- Voters who are hospitalized
- Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
- Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
What if I've been incarcerated? Can I register to vote?
Alabama and Tennessee both have ways for people who have been convicted of a felony to have their voting right restored in some cases.
In Alabama, depending on the conviction, you may be eligible to vote upon completing your sentence. Click here to see the rules and procedures for the restoration of voting rights.
In Tennessee, you may be eligible to vote after a felony conviction depending on the crime. Click here to see the rules and procedures for the restoration of voting rights.
Where can I get voting information?
Click here for Alabama voting information. Check back regularly, as voting rules are subject to change.
Click here for Tennessee voting information. Check back regularly, as voting rules are subject to change.