Voting in Rutherford County: registration, polling places, early voting

Last checked Oct. 30, 2026. Facts on this page come from the Rutherford County Election Commission’s election, early voting, polling locations, registration, ID requirements, absentee voting and MTSU student voting pages. This guide is factual only; Murfreesboro Now does not endorse candidates.

Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, general election ended Thursday, Oct. 29. On Election Day, Rutherford County voters can cast a ballot at any of 30 vote centers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring a Tennessee or federal photo ID. See your ballot in the county’s sample ballot (PDF).

Who to call

• Rutherford County Election Commission: 615-898-7743, 1 S. Public Square, Suite 103, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
• Administrator of Elections: Alan Farley
• Voter fraud hotline: 877-850-4959
• Check your registration: Am I registered?

Early voting, Oct. 14-29

No reason is needed. You can update your name or address while early voting.

Where to vote in Murfreesboro, TN: Election Day vote centers

Rutherford County uses convenient vote centers: on Election Day you may vote at any of the 30 sites, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., not just one assigned to your neighborhood. That means a Murfreesboro voter can vote near work in Smyrna or La Vergne, and a Smyrna voter can vote in Murfreesboro. Find the nearest on the county’s vote center map.

The 17 vote centers in Murfreesboro, by ZIP code, from the county’s voting centers page:

The other 13 centers are in Smyrna, La Vergne, Lascassas, Milton, Readyville, Christiana, Rockvale and Eagleville. The county’s downloadable vote center list is dated 2023, so if you want to be sure a site is open, call the Election Commission at 615-898-7743 before you go.

Students at MTSU who are registered in Rutherford County can use any vote center; Central Magnet School, on East Main Street west of campus, is the closest.

Photo ID

You must show a photo ID with your name, issued by Tennessee or the federal government, even if it has expired: a Tennessee driver’s license, U.S. passport, Department of Safety photo ID, other state or federal photo ID, military ID or Tennessee handgun carry permit. College student IDs, city or county IDs and IDs from other states are not accepted. Absentee voters, people voting in a licensed nursing home or assisted living center, hospitalized voters, voters with a religious objection to being photographed and indigent voters are exempt.

Voting by mail

Tennessee allows absentee voting by mail only for specific reasons, including being 60 or older, being out of the county for all of early voting and Election Day, being a college student (or the spouse of one) outside the county, illness or disability, jury duty, or caring for someone who is ill. Email or mail the application with your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, the election, your reason and your signature.

• The request must arrive no later than 10 days before the election: Saturday, Oct. 24.
• The ballot must come back by mail and reach the office by the close of polls on Nov. 3. It cannot be hand delivered.
• Once a mail ballot is issued, you can only vote by mail.

Registering

The deadline for Nov. 3 has passed; Tennessee requires registration at least 30 days before an election. To register for later elections, use the state’s online form, mail the paper application, or register in person at the Election Commission, the County Clerk’s office at 319 N. Maple St., Linebaugh Public Library at 105 W. Vine St., or the Register of Deeds. Registering is also offered at driver’s license and other state agency offices.

MTSU students may register in Rutherford County if they live here; students living on campus use 1301 E. Main St. with their campus box number. Students registered back home can request a mail ballot from their home county.

What this means for you

• Early voting is over; on Tuesday, Nov. 3, vote at any of the 30 vote centers, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Turning 60 or living away? Get the mail ballot request in by Oct. 24.
• On Nov. 3, any vote center works; pick one near work or home.

More guides: who to call at City Hall, public notices and population and growth.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I vote in Murfreesboro, TN?

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, any registered Rutherford County voter can vote at any of the county’s 30 vote centers, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seventeen are in Murfreesboro, including Siegel Middle School, Central Magnet School, Barfield Elementary, Blackman High School, SportsCom and World Outreach Church. Bring a Tennessee or federal photo ID.

Where can I vote early in Murfreesboro?

Early voting ran Oct. 14-29, 2026, and has ended. Murfreesboro sites are the Election Office at 1 South Public Square, the Election Commission Annex at 426 E. Vine St., Lane Agri-Park, the Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors, SportsCom and World Outreach Church.

Where do I vote on Election Day in Rutherford County?

At any of the county’s 30 vote centers. You are not tied to one precinct. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

What ID do I need to vote in Tennessee?

A photo ID issued by Tennessee or the federal government, such as a Tennessee driver’s license, U.S. passport, military ID or Tennessee handgun carry permit, even if expired. College IDs and out-of-state IDs are not accepted.

What is the deadline to request an absentee ballot in Rutherford County?

The Election Commission must receive the request no later than 10 days before the election, which is Saturday, Oct. 24, for the Nov. 3 election. You must qualify under one of the state’s reasons, such as being 60 or older.

Can I still register to vote for Nov. 3?

No. Tennessee requires registration at least 30 days before an election. You can register now online at ovr.govote.tn.gov for later elections.