With early voting now over, Tennessee voters have one final opportunity to cast their ballots in the November 3 general election, as concerns about touchscreen voting machines have prompted election officials to urge residents to carefully review their selections before submitting their ballots.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with voters deciding the state’s next governor, a U.S. senator, congressional and legislative races, local offices and three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution.
Early voting ended Thursday, October 29, following a two-week period in which voters across the state reported problems with touchscreen machines displaying incorrect candidate selections.
The complaints have centered on the governor’s race between Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Democratic nominee Jerri Green. Some voters reported that machines highlighted Blackburn’s name after they attempted to select Green.
Country singer Stella Parton, sister of Dolly Parton, was among those raising concerns. Parton said she had to correct her selection three times because the machine repeatedly displayed Blackburn’s name.
Similar complaints surfaced in Davidson and Williamson counties, including reports from voters in Franklin, Spring Hill and Nolensville.
Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins attributed the problems to unintended touchscreen contact rather than machines deliberately changing votes. He explained that a finger or fingernail touching the edge of another candidate’s selection box could cause an incorrect choice to appear.
Davidson County election administrator John Richardson acknowledged receiving complaints and said polling locations were making plastic voting sticks available to help voters make more precise selections.
Election officials emphasized that voters have several opportunities to verify their choices before a ballot is officially cast.
Voters should check the candidate highlighted on the touchscreen, review the summary screen, and carefully examine the printed paper ballot before placing it into the scanner. The paper ballot, not the touchscreen selection, is what is counted.
If an error appears, voters should immediately notify a poll worker and request assistance before scanning the ballot. Once a ballot enters the scanner and is counted, it cannot be changed.
Both major-party gubernatorial campaigns have encouraged voters to report irregularities. Blackburn emphasized the importance of election integrity, while Green’s campaign urged voters experiencing problems to contact their local election commission.
Unlike early voting, when residents could vote at designated locations throughout their county, Election Day voters generally must report to their assigned precinct.
Polling places across Tennessee will close at 7 pm Central Time or 8 pm Eastern Time, depending on the county. Opening times vary by county. Anyone in line when polls close will be allowed to vote.
Voters can find their assigned polling location, check their registration, and view a sample ballot by visiting <GoVoteTN.gov> or using the state’s GoVoteTN mobile app.
Tennessee law requires voters to present an acceptable federal or Tennessee state government-issued photo ID. Acceptable identification includes a Tennessee driver’s license, U.S. passport, and certain other government-issued photo IDs. College student identification cards are not accepted.
Voters without an acceptable photo ID may cast a provisional ballot, subject to completing the required verification process.
Election officials encourage residents to review their sample ballots before arriving at the polls, particularly because the ballot includes three proposed constitutional amendments addressing criminal justice, property taxes, and crime victims’ rights.
Voters who encounter problems at their polling locations should notify an election official before leaving. Questions or concerns can also be directed to the local county election commission or the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Division of Elections.
As Tennesseans prepare to cast their final votes Tuesday, election officials stress that reviewing the printed ballot remains an important safeguard against incorrect selections.
