§ 2-6-109 — Verification of signature - Voting - Affidavits - Voting booths

(a) (1) Upon completion of the application, the administrator of elections shall compare the signature of the voter with the signature on the voter's permanent registration record, or other evidence of identification if computerized duplicate registration records are used, and shall endorse on the application that the two (2) signatures are, or are not, the same. The administrator shall make a determination whether the voter's address is different from the address on the voter's permanent registration record or if the registration is in inactive status. If the voter has changed residence, or the voter's registration is inactive, the administrator shall follow the procedures for voting pursuant to § 2-7-140 . Upon determination that the voter is entitled to vote early in the election, the administrator shall hand to the voter, after recording the ballot number on the voter's permanent registration record: (A) Instructions; and (B) One (1) early voting ballot or one (1) primary early voting ballot or both. (2) In a computerized county, the administrator may record the ballot number on the computer-generated duplicate registration record or the voter's application to vote. (b) The voter shall show the unmarked ballot to the early voting official, mark the ballot in secret at the place provided in the commission office, either fold the ballot or place it in a secrecy sleeve provided by the election commission in order to preserve the secrecy of the ballot, and return to the early voting official. (c) (1) The early voting official shall direct the voter to the correct general election early voting ballot box and/or party primary early voting ballot box according to the election and precinct in which the voter voted. The voter shall deposit the ballot in the appropriate ballot box or boxes. (2) Except in cases in which computerized duplicate registration records are used, the attesting official shall, in the presence of the voter, note on the voter's duplicate permanent registration record that the voter has voted early in the election and in every case, including those counties in which computerized duplicate registration records are used, record the voter's name on the early voting poll book for each election in which the voter voted. (3) In those counties in which computerized duplicate registration records are used, the attesting official shall update the voter's computerized voter history by making the appropriate data entry. (d) A county election commission may use any voting machine authorized for use under chapter 9 of this title for early voting. (e) The county election commission must provide a place where the voter may mark the ballot in complete secrecy and privacy.

Legislative History

Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1979, ch. 316, § 2; T.C.A., § 2-609; Acts 1982, ch. 665, § 2; 1988, ch. 993, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1991, ch. 69, § 1; 1994, ch. 859, §§ 2, 12; 1995, ch. 88, §§ 3-5; 1997, ch. 550, § 6; 1997, ch. 558, § 15.