Q. Where can I find absentee voting guidelines for my state?

Absentee voting (aka "mail-in voting" and "by-mail voting") is conducted by mail-in ballot before the day of the election. 

Some states require a valid excuse (such as unavoidable absence from your county on election day) before they'll issue an absentee ballot.  An increasing number of states offer "no excuse absentee voting"; these states will let any registered voter cast an absentee ballot.

The Long Distance Voter website includes absentee voting rules for all states, with a Tennessee Absentee Ballot Guide.

For, Shelby County residents, the Shelby County Election Commission  also has information on Absentee Voting.