We’re in the final stretch of the 2024 election season and there are important dates coming up that you need to be aware of.
In just over a month, Tennesseans will be able to vote early for the November 5 general election.
This election cycle, voters will decide who will represent them at the state and federal level, including who will be the next president. But before the votes, a highly anticipated head-to-head debate between presidential candidates former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to take place next week.
Below are some important dates and events for voters to keep in mind as the general election approaches.
When does early voting start in Tennessee?
Early voting begins Wednesday October 16 and continues Thursday, October 31.
Early voting times and locations vary by county in Tennessee. To find out where early polling places are and when they are open, contact your local county election commission, which you can find at sos.tn.gov/elections.
When will we vote for president in 2024?
The general elections are on Tuesday, November 5.
Tennessee Voting Calendar
Below are some key dates to keep in mind as the November general election approaches.
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Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, October 7
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Early voting: Wednesday, October 16 – Thursday, October 31
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Deadline for requesting a ballot by mail: Tuesday, October 29
Can I vote in the presidential election if I turn 18 before November 5?
Yes. If you are 17 years old and will be turning 18 before the November 5 general election, you can register to vote now so you can cast your ballot for the next president.
How do I register to vote in Tennessee?
Tennessee residents have one month to register to vote in the upcoming general election. Here’s where to register to vote:
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You can register to vote online at ovr.govote.tn.gov.
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Download and fill out a voter registration application found at sos.tn.gov/elections. Once you have filled it out, you will need to mail it to your county election board.
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You can also pick up a voter registration application form in person at the following locations:
Tennessee residents may also register with one of the following entities during a transaction:
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Ministry of Health (WIC program)
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Department of Humanitarian Services
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Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disorders
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Department of Mental Health
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Department of Safety (Motor Vehicle Department)
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Ministry of Veterans Affairs
When is the Harris-Trump debate?
Harris and Trump are expected to meet on stage Tuesday September 10ththe same date that Trump and President Joe Biden were expected to meet for their final debate. The debate is set for 9 p.m. ET.
Although the debate is scheduled to take place next week, Trump expressed doubts in late August about whether he would participate in the debate at all.
“Why would I debate Kamala Harris on that network?” Trump asked in a Truth Social post. He criticized Jonathan Karl’s interview with Tom Cotton on ABC’s “This Week,” as well as the show’s panel of commentators.
Shortly after that post, he indicated that he doesn’t really care about the microphone policy set for the debate.
Who will win the presidential election?
It’s a very different race than a few months ago, when Biden took on Trump.
The latest USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll shows Harris ahead of Trump 48%-43%, a lead within the poll’s margin of error. About 1 in 10 voters say they may change their mind or are undecided, according to USA TODAY’s reporting.
Democrats have gained strength after Biden withdrew from his re-election campaign to make way for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The poll of 1,000 likely voters, conducted by landline and mobile phone, was conducted between August 25 and 28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2024 Presidential Election: Tennessee Early Voting, Debates, More
