Registered voters who will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day may cast ballots by mail for the following reasons:
1. Out of the county (Shelby County)
2. Full time student or the spouse of a full time student
3. Hospitalization, sickness, or physical disability (may also be the caretaker)
4. Permanent absentee voter because of health (must have a statement from a Doctor)
5. Juror in a federal or state court
6. Observance of a religious holiday
7. Candidate for office in the election
8. 65 years of age or older
Voter must send a written request for an Absentee Ballot to the Shelby County Election Commission office. A form is provided here for your convenience.
NOTE: To view this form, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available Here.
Download Absentee Request Form
The request (form) must include the following information:
1. Voter's name as it appears on voter registration
2. Voter's address as it appears on voter registration
3. Social Security number or Registration number
4. Election that the voter wants to vote in
5. Reason the voter is requesting an Absentee Ballot
6. Address where the Ballot is to be mailed
7. Voter's signature
The written request for an Absentee Ballot should be mailed to:
Shelby County Election Commission
157 Poplar Avenue, Suite 109
Memphis, TN 38103-1999
Upon receipt of the request, it will be checked for completeness. If all necessary information is included, a ballot will be mailed. If the request is incomplete, an application will be mailed.
Written requests for information on Absentee Ballots will be accepted no more than ninety (90) days and no less than seven (7) days before an election. Applications, which are defined as written requests that contain all the required information (as listed above), must be in the office fivedays before any election. Requests or applications received after the above stated dates will be rejected.
Absentee Ballots will be accepted up until 7:00 P.M. on Election Day. Any Absentee Ballot received after 7:00 P.M. on Election Day will be rejected.
