Are you an out of state student and want to register in Tennessee?

Fact: Students vote where they sleep

Fact: Students vote where they park their car at night 


YOU may register to vote if:

  • you are a U.S. citizen;
  • you are 18 years of age, or will be, on/or before the next election;
  • you are a resident of Tennessee;
  • you have not been convicted of a felony or, if convicted, had voting rights restored by a court order or pardon

I am an OUT OF STATE student and want to register in Tennessee

  • If you moved to Murfreesboro from another state but now reside in Rutherford County, you may register and vote in Rutherford County for as long as you live in Rutherford County.
  • Paper Mail In Registration- Available here! 
    • All of the instructions for online are the same for the paper registration. The paper registration does not require a Tennessee ID for registration. However, you need a Tennessee ID or Federally issued ID to vote. Your best option is to bring your passport with you. 
    • Follow one of these options for filling out the registration form:

      I live on campus

      • Online Registration - You must have a Tennessee ID for this option. You can easily obtain one at the DMV. It does not have to be a drivers license.
        • Click on the "Online Registration" button below to begin. Follow the instructions on each page. The online registration will not let you advance to the next page without fully completing the previous!
        • ALWAYS check, and double check your application before you submit. The online version will let you review before submission.

      Online Registration

      • IMPORTANT: If you are registering in Rutherford County and live in a dorm, your "Address Where You Live" will not be your dorm! It will be 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. You will enter an "Address Where You Get Your Mail," and it will be P.O. Box ___, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. You must have an MTSU postal box to receive your mail on campus, which becomes your mailing address. If you do not know your MTSU Box P.O. Box #, you can look it up through your pipeline account!
        • PipelineMT --> Personal Information --> MTSU Post Office Box and Combination.
      • Paper Registration- Available here! 
        • All of the instructions for online are the same for the paper registration. The paper registration does not require a Tennessee ID for registration. However, you will need either a Tennessee State or Federally issued ID to vote!
        • You will address the Application for Voter Registration to the Rutherford County Election Commission, 1 Public Square South, Rutherford County Bldg. Rm. 103, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Put a stamp on the envelope and mail it. Or, you can personally deliver the application to the election commission office on the south side of town square across from the courthouse
      • Click here to see which five areas on the application are the most frequently forgotten or overlooked - then double-check your application to make sure everything is  filled out!

      I live off campus in Rutherford County

      • Online Registration - You must have a Tennessee ID for this option. You can easily obtain one at the DMV. It does not have to be a drivers license.
        • Click on the "Online Registration" button below to begin. Follow the instructions on each page. The online registration will not let you advance to the next page without fully completing the previous!
        • ALWAYS check, and double check your application before you submit. The online version will let you review before submission.

      Online Registration

      • If you are registering in Rutherford County and live in an apartment, your "Address Where You Live" will be your apartment address. If this is also the "Address Where You Get Your Mail," you will select the box that says "Same As Residence." You may or may not also have an MTSU post office box that might be your "Address Where You Get Your Mail." Your return address on the mailer envelope will be the same as the address where you get your mail.
      • Paper Mail In Registration- Available here! 
        • All of the instructions for online are the same for the paper registration. The paper registration does not require a Tennessee ID for registration. However, you will need either a Tennessee State or Federally issued ID to vote!
        • You will address the Application for Voter Registration to the Rutherford County Election Commission, 1 Public Square South, Rutherford County Bldg. Rm. 103, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Put a stamp on the envelope and mail it. Or, you can personally deliver the application to the election commission office on the south side of town square across from the courthouse
      • Click here to see which five areas on the application are the most frequently forgotten or overlooked - then double-check your application to make sure everything is  filled out!

      I live off campus in a different county

      • Online Registration - You must have a Tennessee ID for this option. You can easily obtain one at the DMV. It does not have to be a drivers license.
        • Click on the "Online Registration" button below to begin. Follow the instructions on each page. The online registration will not let you advance to the next page without fully completing the previous!
        • ALWAYS check, and double check your application before you submit. The online version will let you review before submission.

      Online Registration

      • If you are choosing to register in another Tennessee county, for example, Wilson County, your "Address Where You Live" must be in Wilson County, your "Address Where You Get Your Mail" must be in Wilson County.

You may register to vote in your hometown.

If you moved to Tennessee from out of state to go to school, you may want to vote absentee in your home state. If so, you will need to be directly in touch, right away, with your local county election commission of your home town to learn your state’s voting requirements. Ask about both registration and your state’s rules for absentee balloting.

  • If you are a student, you have a constitutional right to register and vote in the place you truly consider to be 'home' - RockTheVote.org
    • If you wish to maintain voting registry at home, remember that you must travel back to your home county to vote. Check your home county’s election commission website for hours and days when the polls are open.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've applied, but now what?

You are not registered until you receive your actual voter registration card in the mail. When it arrives, safely hold onto it! It’s official paperwork, like your driver’s license and Social Security card.

Your voter card should arrive in the mail to you within about two weeks. You need to be looking for it and proactive about following up. If in two weeks you haven’t received it, call the election commission and make inquiries.

*The first time you vote, MUST be in person!

You cannot vote without your official registration card and also without a state or federal photo identification card. Your MTSU University ID card will not provide the identification you need. You must have a driver’s license or other acceptable official photo ID (http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/photoID.htm). 

No Tennessee drivers license?

f you do not have a Tennessee drivers licence, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can provide a Tennessee ID for you. See the Tennessee League of Women Voters resources for more information about ID Law.

When and where do I vote?

Your voter registration card will designate precisely your voting precinct. You may need to check with your election commission for the exact address of the polling location for your precinct. Select the button below for quick access to Rutherford County voting locations.

Voting Locations

When I go to the polls, what will I be expected to vote on?

Your county election commission’s website will provide a sample ballot you may examine prior to going to the polls in the upcoming elections in which you will participate.

What else?

Spread the word. Help others register to vote. Study the candidates. Read newspapers. Compare media biases. Be informed. Be prepared. Be smart. Be a good citizen. Be an MTSU civically engaged Blue Raider! 


I still have lots of questions! Who will help me?

MTSU ADP Logo

We'll answer all your questions
and get you registered!

Email us at amerdem@mtsu.edu
Call us at (615) 904-8241
Stop by and visit us at HONORS 221


 

Students with questions about any election process should call the Rutherford County Election Commission at 615-898-7743, or email inquiries to election@rutherfordcounty.org. The Election Commission office is located at 1 Public Square South, Room 103, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

You can also check out these helpful websites:

Register to Vote!


customs globe

Register to Vote!
ADP National

American Democracy Project

Dr. Mary A. Evins
HONR 221
Graduating Civically Engaged,
Globally Responsible Citizens
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