The polls are open across East Tennessee, giving voters in the region a chance to elect a new President and Vice President of the United States, U.S. congressional representatives, and a range of state senators and representatives.
We know the process can sometimes be confusing, so we’ve compiled a list of what you need to know to ensure your voice is heard during this historic election season:
When can I vote?
All polling places across Tennessee are currently open, and will close at 8 p.m. That means that so long as you are in-line to vote by the time the polls close, you will still be allowed to vote.
Where can I vote?
Since it’s Election Day, you can only vote at your specific polling location, which is typically listed on your Voter ID card. You can also consult the state’s voter registration lookup tool, which allows you to retrieve your voter registration information and identify your polling location.
Can I register to vote today?
Unfortunately, you cannot. In the state of Tennessee, the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election was 30 days ago, on Oct. 7. If you missed the deadline, you’ll have to wait until the next election to vote.
Do I need to show my Voter ID card?
No; In the state of Tennessee, you are only required to show an approved form of I.D., such as a driver’s license or passport, which displays your address and residency in the state and county.
Your ID is then matched with voter registration records unique to you at your polling location, to ensure that only verified, registered voters can cast their ballot in the election.
Can I be sure that my vote was counted?
Yes; Although there is no way to track your ballot once it has been cast, you can rest assured that the hundreds of election workers across the region will be working hard in the coming hours and days to ensure that your vote is counted.
Election workers have a range of political beliefs, representing Republicans, Democrats and Independents. They work to ensure that elections are carried out with impartiality and accuracy.
When will I know the election results?
For local races, results will likely be in tonight, soon after the polls close. You can follow WUOT News’ live local coverage by tuning in to 91.9 FM tonight starting at 7 p.m. , or by streaming us live at wuot.org.
For national races, it can sometimes take election workers days or even weeks to count every vote, particularly mail-in and absentee ballots.
WUOT News, in partnership with NPR, utilizes the Associated Press’ live election results, which boasts a 99.9% accuracy rate. You can view those results as they come in on our website, at wuot.org.