The League of Women Voters has a statewide advocacy group that monitors and advocates for bills of specific interest to the League. This is done through regular meetings of the group and through our state lobbyist. The Legislative session has just begun and legislators have until the second week in February to complete their submission of bills for consideration.

LWVTN Lawsuit Update - Voter Registration Restrictions

The LWVTN (and others) lawsuit on voter registration resulted in an injunction against the State which specifically states that the State cannot implement the registration procedures voted on by the legislation. A new registration hearing will not be heard until Feb. 2021. Therefore the restrictions on registration will not effect the 2020 election.

A few of the bills that have been introduced:

Authorizes Registration and Voting on Election Day - SB240/HB312 (Gilmore, Johnson)

The bill allows registration and voting on election day, authorizes updating a person’s voter information and allows the vote on election day, and requires the state election commission to promulgate rules for such purposes. The League supports the concept of same-day registration and voting but will follow the actual wording of the bill.

Restoration of Voting Rights for Convicted Felons - HB 547 (Curcio)

The League supports severing the current financial liabilities of felons from the issue of restoration of voting rights to such felons upon pardon and/or completion of their sentence. The current TN law requires all convicted and released felons to pay all debts, including child support, before their voting rights can be restored; and these stringent requirement are the only ones in the U.S. There is no other voting stipulation that requires bills to be paid before a person can vote. LWV is working with other groups such as ACLU and Americans for Progress to allow voting rights to be restored to felons who have served their punishment and allowing full re-integration into the community.

Allows the counting board to tabulate and report early and absentee ballots at poll close - SB 1569 (Kelsey)

The bill is broad as is written and appears to allow election results to be released prior to poll closings. LWV is not in favor of counted votes being publicized prior to poll closing. The LWV will monitor the wording of the bill as it moves forward.

The Legislatures want to terminate the session by Easter this year. Legislators that are up for re-election cannot accept campaign money when they are in session.

~Mary Ann Reeves - Advocacy member on Immigration