CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – As National Voter Registration Day kicks off across the country, local election commissions and state agencies are encouraging citizens to exercise their freedoms and register to vote. With a large presidential election fast approaching, now is a great time to register.

All qualified voters must be properly registered no later than 30 days prior to an election to be eligible to vote. The local Election Commission is encouraging citizens to take advantage of the ease and convenience and register online.

In the last election in Montgomery County there was approximately 3-percent voter turnout. With campaigns such as Voter Registration Day, and increased involvement by local organizations, the Election Commission hopes that more people will be encouraged to vote in upcoming elections.

New to voter registration or just moved to Tennessee? Here’s what you need to know:

Voter Eligibility
According to the State Election Commission, to be eligible to vote in Tennessee:

  • You must be a citizen of the United States.
  • You must be (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the next election.
  • You must be a resident of Tennessee. View Guidelines for Determining Residency and special considerations for Homeless Persons Residency and Non-resident Property Owners.
  • If you have been convicted of a felony, your eligibility to register and vote depends upon the crime you were convicted of and the date of your conviction. If your conviction made you ineligible, you may regain your eligibility if your conviction has been expunged or if you have had your voting rights restored, unless you were convicted of a crime that rendered you permanently ineligible to vote. View Eligibility to Vote after a Felony Conviction.

There are currently 113,953 registered voters in Montgomery County.

Register
Qualified citizens can register to vote online through the State of Tennessee. To complete the registration, you must have a valid state issued photo ID or Homeland Security ID in order to submit online.

If you do not have a Tennessee driver’s license or Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security ID, you will be able to print the voter registration form and submit by mail.

Polling Locations
If you’ve just moved or are newly registered, your polling location may have changed. Voters must cast their ballot at their designated polling location. To see the list of districts visit the Montgomery County Election Commission page.

Get Involved
Interested in getting involved with voter registration through the Montgomery County Election Commission? Learn more about how you can host a Voter Registration Drive.

The commission will also accept community volunteers to serve as Poll Officials. These volunteers must be available on Election Day. Requirements include being a registered voter of Montgomery County, be able to read and have clear handwriting, have the energy and stamina to serve during Election Day. To see the full list of responsibilities and contact the Election Commission visit their website.