Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote

Vanderbilt encourages every eligible member of the university community—students, staff and faculty—to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to register and vote in elections held in their districts of residence, whether they be at the federal, state or local level.

Through TurboVote, a voting resource is provided for the Vanderbilt community that enables voter registration and provides updates so voters can stay informed about election details.

 

Vanderbilt, Let's Vote

Register to Vote

Are you registered to vote?

Checking your voter registration status is easy with TurboVote. Visit Vanderbilt's TurboVote dashboard and select "Check Your Registration."

Visit TurboVote

What does it mean to register to vote?

In most states, you must register with your state to be eligible to vote in elections. You may only register to vote in one state as registering to vote requires residency in that state. Federal and state elections are operated by the states themselves and each state has unique registration and voting processes.

It is important to note that registering to vote by mail or online may require you to vote for the first time in person. Take this into consideration when making your plan for voter registration and voting.

Make your voting plan.

Ask yourself these important questions:

Will I register to vote in Tennessee or in my home state?

  • Registering to vote at home versus in Tennessee

    Many Vanderbilt students move to campus as residents of states outside of Tennessee. By law, no person may vote in more than one jurisdiction. So each student, depending on their unique situation, must decide which state and city they consider their place of residence, which is where they should then be registered to vote.

    Residency not only affects which state one will vote in but also in matters of driver licensure, insurance, etc. The Tennessee Secretary of State has guidance on determining residency. Other states may have different criteria for determining residency.

  • How to register using your on-campus address
    • Visit TurboVote
    • Choose "Register to Vote" from the menu
    • Select your campus address from the list of residence halls
  • Proof of residency

    Students registered to vote in Tennessee by mail who are voting for the first time in Davidson County may need to show proof of residency. Contact Housing and Residential Experience to request a confirmation of residency letter on university letterhead. The letter of residency should list your specific residence hall and the physical address of your residence hall (not your PMB number).

    Find the physical address of your residence hall (PDF). 

Will I vote absentee or travel home to vote in person on Election Day?

  • Voting absentee or by mail

    Students may be eligible to request an absentee or mail-in ballot if they are not able to be present at the polls.

    Absentee voting

    Absentee ballots must be requested in advance for most states. You must keep the deadlines for your state in mind when you make your voting plan. Find the deadlines to request and submit absentee ballots in the state where you are registered to vote at Vote.org.

    Some states require that absentee ballots be notarized. A number of notaries public work at Vanderbilt, and they are happy to help. Find names and contact information for notaries public on campus.

    Vote-by-mail

    Instead of absentee voting programs, some states offer vote-by-mail programs. They automatically send ballots to all registered voters in the state before Election Day. See which states offer vote-by-mail programs.

    Visit TurboVote and select “Vote by Mail” to find out what you need to know to vote by mail in your state.

  • How to vote absentee or by mail in Tennessee

    Tennessee law allows for absentee voting only under certain circumstances. Eligibility for absentee voting is determined by state law and registration for absentee voting is managed by your county of residence. All absentee voters who return a ballot for any election must do so by mail.

    Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Tennessee's guide to absentee voting.

How will I keep track of upcoming election dates and deadlines for voter registration and ballot requests?

  • Election reminders

    Many students choose to remain registered to vote in their home state. Due to distance, staying informed and up-to-date on current issues and upcoming elections at home can be challenging.

    TurboVote offers an election reminder service. After signing up you'll receive email or text notifications with relevant voting information in advance of an election occurring in your specific zip code.

    Visit TurboVote and select "Get Election Reminders."

What type of ID is required by the state in which I am voting?

  • Tennessee voter ID laws

    All voters must present a federal or Tennessee state ID containing the voter’s name and photograph when voting at the polls, whether voting early or on Election Day unless an exemption applies. Please note that a Vanderbilt University ID or an ID issued by another state will not be accepted.

    See acceptable forms of ID for Tennessee polling places

  • What if I don’t have an ID?

    If you are a registered voter and do not have a government-issued photo ID, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will provide you with a photo ID at no charge. Citizens may obtain these IDs at 48 of the Driver Service Centers across the state.

    For a photo ID, each applicant must also sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury stating that the individual does not have a valid government-issued photo ID for voting purposes.

    Learn more about requesting a photo ID

Early Voting

If convenience is important to you, consider early voting the next time you go to the polls.

Before most elections, Davidson County provides several locations throughout the county for registered voters to cast their ballots early. The Early Voting period begins 20 days before an election and usually ends five days before Election Day.

You can select a location convenient to your work or home as there are no assigned locations. Early Voting sites are open during the day, some evenings, and on Saturdays. Wait times, if any, are typically shorter than on Election Day, and if you need to update your address, the process can be completed more quickly than on Election Day.

Find Early Voting dates for 2024 in Davidson County.

Voting on Election Day

Check your polling location before heading out to cast your vote.

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location. If you are registered to vote in Tennessee and live on campus, be sure to confirm your polling location before heading to the polls on Election Day. Vanderbilt University falls into two different districts:

  • Most students registered with an address on the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons will vote on Election Day at Murrell School (1450 14th Ave. S).
  • Most students registered with an address on main campus will vote on Election Day at Eakin Elementary (2500 Fairfax Ave.).

The addresses provided above are general information. Your specific Election Day polling location is determined by the address that you used to register to vote. Use the Nashville Polling Place Finder to find your specific polling location.