I am about to explain something that is really important for Tennesseans who have requested an absentee ballot for August.

TN has a really strict photo ID law that requires voters to cast their ballots on the machines the 1st time before being eligible for an absentee ballot.

So, if you are a 1st time voter in TN— like a college student, a new arrival, or a new US citizen—your vote might not be counted until you have voted once on the machines. The court order on no-excuse absentees due to COVID doesn’t take into account 1st time voters. What to do?

The remedy is going to make you roll your eyes & hide under the covers, but remember: voting in TN is hard. We are the 48th “easiest” state to vote in the country (meaning not easy at all!) with very suppressive voting laws. But we have to vote anyway! So, here’s what to do...

If this is your first time voting or your first time voting in TN, you have to be marked as someone who has registered “in person”, which is also confusing. But what it means is that you have already shown your ID to elections officials and they have verified your identity.

Once the county election commission has verified your identity (ie checked your ID), you are then eligible for an absentee ballot, even if it’s your first time voting—ever—or your first time voting in TN. If you don’t do this, you likely won’t even be sent an absentee ballot.

So, this is what you should do & please spread the word: go to the (very inconvenient) office of the Davidson Co Election Commission, out by the airport (I know, I know...), located at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike. Tell them you want to be marked as an in-person voter. Bring your ID.

They are wonderful there! They don’t make the terrible laws—our state legislature does—but they will help you vote!!!

It shouldn’t be this hard, but you’ve got to know the truth. If you want an absentee ballot—& you want it to count—you’re going to have to jump thru some hoops.

If anyone needs further explanation or help, email me in @repjimcooper office at [email protected].

Good news is that once you verify your identity or vote once on the machines, then you are good to go for absentee ballots. Maybe for Nov too. Court will decide that...

Finally, YES, this applies if you registered on line. YES, this applies if you registered at a street fair. Unless an elections official verified your ID at the time you registered, you can’t vote absentee (or be guaranteed your vote will count).

Voter suppression is real.