Don't infect our elections with COVID-19.
Tell our Tennessee state officials: We need mail-in absentee ballots NOW!
Add your name to our petition if you would like the opportunity to vote by mail on August 6th and November 3rd.
The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on our democracy. Just look at what happened in Wisconsin, where voters were packed like sardines at polling locations and forced to put their health in jeopardy to cast their vote. We can't let Tennessee be the next disastrous election in the headlines, and we can't let COVID-19 infect our elections. With no end in sight to the pandemic, we need to expand measures for everyone to vote safely and securely during the August 6th and November 3rd elections. And the safest way to do that is with mail-in absentee ballots.
Tennessee has some of the strictest laws when it comes to absentee voting. Under Tennessee law, unless a registered voter falls into one of 14 narrowly defined categories they may not vote by mail. (T.C.A. § 2-6-201) None of those 14 categories appears to encompass individuals who are (1) under the age of 60, and (2) wish to vote by mail because of a fear that voting in person, whether early or on election day, might expose them or someone they live with, to COVID-19. For such voters, the only options are to either risk their health and vote in person, or to not vote at all. Tennessee also criminalizes providing assistance to voters in obtaining an absentee ballot application, making it a Class E felony if you do so.
On Friday, May 1st, we filed a federal lawsuit to ensure everyone who wants to protect their health and their loved ones has the opportunity to request an absentee ballot in 2020.
Our state officials, including Gov. Bill Lee, Sec. Tre Hargett, and Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins, are sitting on their hands while the COVID-19 ravages Black communities all across the state. When asked what precautions they are taking to protect poll workers and voters, they passed the buck to the Tennessee General Assembly to do something about it. They're also sitting on over $9.5 million in federal dollars to protect Tennessee elections from coronavirus, but have taken no action.
Add your name to our petition if you are concerned for your health or your loved one's health and would like to vote by mail in 2020.