Tennessee elections office: All polls close at 7 p.m. Central

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office issued a direct alert to voters on Election Day regarding text messages that list incorrect polling hours. The state’s top election official confirmed that the office is tracking the spread of these inaccurate notifications.

State election rules set a uniform closing time for all jurisdictions in Tennessee. Polls close at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. For voters in the Eastern Time Zone, the deadline is 8:00 p.m. The Secretary of State’s Office stated that any text message citing a different closing time is wrong.

The warning clarifies a standard procedure for voters who are already waiting in line. If a voter is in the queue when the 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. deadline passes, they remain eligible to cast a ballot. The line itself serves as the cutoff point, not the clock.

This clarification follows a period of heightened scrutiny on voting procedures. Election officials have spent recent weeks responding to voter concerns regarding ballot markings, voting machines, and general polling logistics. The new alert addresses a specific vector of misinformation that has appeared in the final hours before the vote is counted.

Voters who encounter issues at their polling locations can seek immediate assistance. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Division of Elections operates a dedicated line for these inquiries. Callers can reach the office at 877-850-4959. The office encourages voters to call this number rather than rely on unverified digital alerts.