When requesting the Tennessee Application for Ballot during primary elections in 2026, you'll see this language & be asked to sign the form in order to receive your ballot:

“I request a ballot to vote in this election and declare, under penalty of perjury, that I reside at the above address and am a registered and qualified voter in the precinct in which I am offering to vote. I also declare that I have not previously voted in this election, nor will I attempt to vote again in this election.

If this is a primary election, I am a bona fide member of and affiliated with the political party in whose primary I seek to vote; or I declare allegiance to the political party in whose primary I seek to vote and state that I intend to affiliate with that party.”

While the language on the application is new, the second paragraph states the law that has been on the books since 1972.

The League of Women Voters believes that every election is important. Primaries allow voters to inform the parties about which candidates they prefer.