The Election Commission is considered an essential service, so we are able to issue and accept petitions at both locations.  However, we urge citizens who do not need to file petitions to stay home and use our online services at GoVoteTN.com.  In order to make sure that our employees stay safe, we have cut our staffing to the minimum. 
The east office located at 980 Nixon Dr. will continue to serve walk-in requests for petitions during its normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, due to the staffing situation, petitions will be issued and received at the downtown office at 157 Poplar Ave., Ste. 137 by appointment only. Petitioners are asked to call 901-222-1200 to schedule an appointment.
“Because fewer employees are still working in the downtown office, the Election Commission prefers that petitioners come to the east office to pick up and drop off petitions,” Phillips said. “We will continue to issue them and receive the filings at both locations as required by law.”
Many people may choose mail-in filing. Petitions must be received, not just postmarked, by the Election Commission office by the deadline, noon on Thursday April 2. Candidates are advised to leave adequate time for postal delivery.