Voting 101
Are you a Candidate too?
Candidates are also voters. If you are running for office in an election, you may still vote in that election as long as you are a registered voter and meet all voting requirements.
Interested in learning more about becoming a candidate? Click the I AM A CANDIDATE button below to get started.
IMPORTANT VOTING PERSONNEL Information
Administrator: DeLaina Green
Deputy: Ragan Wood
The Henry County Election Commission is a five member commission.
They are all appointed by the State Election Commission. The appointment takes place the first Monday of April and is a 2 year term. The commission members may be found here.
Requirements are that one must be a TN resident for 5 years, county resident for 2 years and a registered voter.
The commission meets the first Monday of the third month of the quarter. All meetings are open to the public and held at the Election Commission office.
Voter Registration
Learn more about voter registration and what you must do to become registered.
Voter Equipment
Learn more about the equipment used in your local, state and federal elections!
Voter Eligibility
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.
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.
How do you register?
GETTING REGISTERED
- Tennessee registrations are done by county only
- Last day to register is 30 days before an election
- You do not register by party in Tennessee
- You can register in-person, by mail or online
Registering to vote in Henry County, Tennessee is easier than you think! First, make sure you are allowed to vote, then fill out a voter registration form online, by mail, or at the Henry County Election Commission office. Remember, you have to turn it in at least 30 days before Election Day so your name can be added to the voter list. After that, you can check that your registration worked, and when it is time to vote, you will go to your voting place and bring a valid photo ID.
Why is it important to understand the election process and even more important to participate by voting?
Because it helps voters know when, where, and how to vote, what offices are on the ballot, and what their choices mean for their community. When people understand the process, they are less likely to miss deadlines, feel confused, or believe incorrect information. Participating by voting is even more important because elections are how citizens help choose the leaders who make decisions about schools, roads, public safety, taxes, services, and laws. Every vote is a way for a person’s voice to be heard and a way to help shape the future of their town, county, state, and country.
Registration locations
- Department of safety
- Locations providing public assistance
- state funded organizations to persons with disabilities
- Public libraries
- Public high schools
- County clerks
- Register of deeds (but not in henry county)
- Henry county election commission office
Other ways to register
Online voter registration
You must have a Tennessee driver's license or Tennessee Department of Safety/Homeland Security ID to submit an application online.
Mail
Each person who registers by mail shall appear in person to vote the first election
Forms available to print
(can be mailed or delivered in person)
https://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/register-vote
https://sos-tn-gov-files.s3.amazonaws.com/forms/ss-3010.pdf
Tennessee Election Laws
All Elections in Tennessee are held according to the Elections Laws (Tennessee Code Annotated) also cited as the “Election Code”.
The purpose of these laws is to regulate the conduct of all elections by the people so that...
1. The freedom and purity of the ballot are secured
2. Internal improvement is promoted by providing a comprehensive and uniform procedure for elections
3. Maximum participation by all citizens in the electoral process is encouraged.
Temporary registrations
MILITARY PERSONNEL | civilians outside the u.s. | overseas citizens | persons born overseas
If you meet the qualifications to register to vote in Tennessee but have not registered and you fall into one of the above categories, you are eligible to be processed as a temporary registration to allow you eligibility to vote.
Temporary registrations are only good for 1 election year
Temporary registrations
MILITARY PERSONNEL | civilians outside the u.s. | overseas citizens | persons born overseas
If you meet the qualifications to register to vote in Tennessee but have not registered and you fall into one of the above categories, you are eligible to be processed as a temporary registration to allow you eligibility to vote.
Temporary registrations are only good for 1 election year
Registration rejects
Missing information on a voter registration form will cause a rejected application
a rejection application will be returned to the voter for correction
an attempt to register validates your registration to allow you to vote EVEN IF YOU MUST CORRECT YOUR REGISTRATION.
(Felons are an exception to this rule)
Temporary registrations
MILITARY PERSONNEL
civilians outside the u.s.
Overseas citizens
persons born overseas
If you meet the qualifications to register to vote in Tennessee but have not registered and you fall into one of the above categories, you are eligible to be processed as a temporary registration to allow you eligibility to vote.
Temporary registrations are only good for 1 election year
felons
To complete the restoration of voting rights, the individual must file their original certification of restoration completed by a person with the authority to do so with the county election office where the individual resides.
The county election office sends a copy of the certification of restoration to the coordinator of elections for verification and upon verification in writing from the coordinator’s office the person may be registered to vote.
VOTER REGISTRATION LIST
The voter registration list is the official list of people who are signed up and allowed to vote in an election. It helps election workers know who can receive a ballot, where each voter should vote, and which races should appear on that voter’s ballot. Keeping this list accurate is important because people move, change names, become newly eligible, or may no longer be eligible to vote. When voters check and update their registration, it helps make Election Day smoother, prevents delays, and makes sure every eligible voter has the chance to cast the correct ballot.
Voter registration is a permanent record, so voters do not need to re-register unless their information changes. By law, voter registrations are reviewed every two years to help keep the voter list accurate. Voters with no recent activity, such as voting or updating their information, may receive a verification card to confirm they still live in Henry County at the same address. If mail is returned or state reports show an address change, the Election Commission may send a confirmation card, which can make the voter’s registration inactive. However, an inactive voter can still vote. If a voter does not respond to a confirmation card, they may eventually be removed from the voter registration list.
LIST MAINTENANCE
A voter’s registration may be removed from the official voter list if the voter requests it, changes their name and does not update it within 90 days, passes away, is convicted of a felony, confirms in writing that they have moved, or does not respond to a confirmation card by the second regular November election.
rEGISTRATION pURGING
A COPY OF THE List can be obtained by filling out the paper work at the election commission office and
paying the appropriate fees (currently $38.50)
Lists shall be used for political purposes only
REGARDING VOTING EQUIPMENT
Voting equipment is an important topic because counties must consider cost, security, voter privacy, protection, and equipment size before choosing what to use. Before any equipment is approved, it goes through extensive testing by the manufacturer and the federal government. The Henry County Election Commission also works closely with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office to make sure all voting equipment follows required laws and guidelines.
Cost
When purchasing voting equipment, the upfront cost is only part of the total expense. Long-term costs such as maintenance agreements, upgrades, and programming for each election must also be considered. A machine that costs $3,000 initially may end up costing $9,000 over its lifetime.
Security
Election security is a serious concern, especially as hacking and cyber threats have become more advanced and widespread. Election officials take security seriously, but misinformation and fear about hacking can also damage public trust in the voting process. When voters lose confidence and choose not to vote, those trying to weaken elections succeed. The best response is to stay informed, trust verified election information, and participate by voting.
Privacy & Protection
The Henry County Election Commission’s mission is to conduct secure, fair, and professional elections while encouraging citizens to take part in the voting process. When choosing and using voting equipment, the voter is the top priority, with a focus on protecting voter privacy and ensuring every vote is secure.
SIZE
Voting equipment should only be purchased if it can be set up properly, used privately, and stored safely and securely. Equipment can vary in size, shape, and attachments, so those factors must be considered before making a purchase.
Who do we Use?
Counties typically work with one to three vendors to support different parts of their voting equipment and election process. One vendor may provide the voting machines, while another may assist with ballot printing, electronic poll books, tabulation equipment, maintenance, or technical support. Each county must consider cost, security, storage, setup, voter privacy, and state requirements when choosing equipment and services.
To learn more about voting equipment vendors and who they are
click the button below.
What do you know about Elections?
Elections happen every day around the world, from small school or workplace votes to local, state, and national elections. Behind every election is a great deal of planning, preparation, organization, and communication. This presentation is meant to help people better understand what goes into the election process and why voting is such an important responsibility.
94%
of states offer early in-person voting to all voters
54%
of states offer Saturday voting
26%
of states offer Sunday voting
46%
of states offer same-day voter registration
TYPES OF Elections
Presidential Preference Primary
First Tuesday in March of Presidential year
(Every 4 years)
County Primary
First Tuesday in May (if called by local parties)
County General/State Primary
First Thursday in August (Every 2 years)
State General
First Tuesday following the first Monday in November (Every 2 years)
City Election w/Presidential Preference Primary
First Tuesday in March of Presidential year
(Every 4 years)
City Election w/County Primary
First Tuesday in May (if called by local parties)
City Election w/County General/State Primary
First Thursday in August (Every 2 years)
City Election w/State General
First Tuesday following the first Monday in November
(Every 2 years)
Stand alone City Election
Set by City Charter or City Ordinance
In Henry County all City Electionsare held in conjunction with the General Election in November.
(Cottage Grove, Henry, Paris and Puryear)
Regarding City Election Timing
Planning and Preparation
5 PHASES OF AN ELECTION CYCLE
Ballot Preparation and Approval
Voting Period
Election Day and Night
Certification of Official Election Results
Notes on training for Election Staff
Early Voting and Election Day Voting both require much training to deal with many
different scenarios.
There are 4 positions for poll officials:
Officer
Registrar
Machine Operator
Judge
Every worker, by law, must attend at least one training session each election before
being eligible to work election day. Training for workers not only includes the process of voting but also we must train
each worker how to handle upset and threatening individuals, safety in the precinct, fire and natural disasters not to mention an active shooter.
The interaction that occurs millions of times between voters and part-time poll workers is what runs the election process. It wouldn’t be possible otherwise.