NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly today approved legislation by State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, to ease the process of restoring a person’s right to vote in Tennessee after a felony conviction. House Bill 445 will allow for the restoration of one or more rights of citizenship, including the right to vote and to serve […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly today approved legislation by State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, to ease the process of restoring a person’s right to vote in Tennessee after a felony conviction.
House Bill 445 will allow for the restoration of one or more rights of citizenship, including the right to vote and to serve on a jury, when certain conditions are met. This legislation ensures suffrage can be regained without the right to possess a firearm reinstated.
“The right to participate in the American electoral process is essential for our nation’s continued prosperity,” Hulsey said. “Tennessee takes this civic duty seriously by ensuring our elections are the most secure, free and fair in the nation. Part of the penalty for committing a serious crime in this state includes forfeiting certain rights of citizenship. This legislation will streamline the voting rights restoration process for those who have turned their lives around and paid their debt to society. I’m grateful to my Republican colleagues for supporting this bill and for their commitment to ensuring all eligible, law-abiding Tennesseans have their voices heard at the ballot box.”
People convicted of infamous crimes, which include any felony, are barred from voting in Tennessee elections. Current Tennessee law includes a two-step process that necessitates a pardon or restoration of full citizenship rights to regain the ability to vote, in addition to meeting eligibility requirements including paying restitution, court costs, and child support.
The proposed legislation doesn’t change Tennessee’s eligibility requirements but allows for people to regain suffrage without full restoration of rights. Additionally, the bill provides the attorney general standing to challenge a person’s restoration eligibility.
Current law consists of several different processes for people convicted during various periods. House Bill 445 will ensure everyone follows the same citizenship rights restoration process by petitioning the court. It also removes the presumption that restoration of rights should be granted upon the filing of a petition, instead making it a preponderance of the evidence that a petitioner is eligible.
The Administrative Office of the Courts, in consultation with the Tennessee Secretary of State and other entities, will be directed to develop a form to be used to petition for restoration of citizenship rights.
People convicted of murder, rape, treason, voter fraud, and sexual crimes against minors will never be able to have their voting rights restored in Tennessee.
House Bill 445 will immediately take effect upon Gov. Bill Lee’s signature.
The Volunteer State ranks No. 1 in election integrity and continues to break voter turnout records, with a historic 3.08 million votes cast in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
State Rep. Bud Hulsey represents House District 2, which includes part of Sullivan County.