There are 24 article(s) tagged Mark Goins:

• November 2022

  • Must mayoral candidates live in the city? Depends on who you ask

    There are city residency questions surrounding two of the six declared contenders to succeed Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. Here’s a summary of legal opinions fueling the controversy.

    By Bill Dries November 28, 2022

• April 2022

  • Two Republican primaries are already throwing sparks

    The only two contested Republican primaries in August for seats in the Tennessee General Assembly representing parts of Shelby County could change dramatically with new challenges that could remove one of the contenders from each of the two-man races.

    By Bill Dries, Abigail Warren, Ian Round April 27, 2022

• December 2020

  • Tennessee electors close ‘one of most acrimonious elections’ with 11 votes for Trump

    Tennessee cast its 11 electoral votes Monday, Dec. 14, for President Donald Trump, 

    By Bill Dries December 14, 2020

• September 2020

  • Court order: Voters living with COVID-vulnerable people can vote absentee

    A Davidson County chancellor ordered the state Friday to update absentee voting guidelines to make sure voters who live with COVID-vulnerable Tennesseans, as well as caretakers, are aware they can cast absentee ballots this fall.

    By Sam Stockard September 25, 2020

• August 2020

  • Memphis attorney accuses state official of leaking information about absentee ballot plaintiffs

    An attorney for Memphis plaintiffs challenging the state’s absentee voting law says Tennessee’s elections coordinator is the source of information showing plaintiffs voted in person despite their claims that going to the polls could put them and others at risk for catching COVID-19.

    By Sam Stockard August 05, 2020

• July 2020

  • Chancellor denies push for state to let first-timers vote by mail

    The ACLU is asking a Davidson County chancellor to hold the state of Tennessee in contempt of court for violating an absentee ballot order by forcing first-time voters to cast ballots in person.

    By Sam Stockard July 14, 2020

• June 2020

  • Plaintiffs push state to follow chancellor’s vote-by-mail ruling

    A group of Memphis and Nashville residents challenging the state’s absentee ballot law is trying to force the state to follow a chancellor’s ruling for universal vote-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Sam Stockard June 09, 2020

  • State likely to challenge chancellor’s decision allowing expanded absentee voting

    The state is planning to challenge a court ruling requiring expanded absentee voting during the COVID-19 pandemic and could be violating a chancellor's order to immediately send applications to any voter who requests one.

    By Sam Stockard June 06, 2020

• May 2020

  • Third legal challenge seeks to waive absentee voting requirements

    The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit Friday, May 15, seeking to make absentee voting available to all eligible Tennessee voters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Sam Stockard May 15, 2020

  • Governor: Fear of COVID-19 no reason for mail-in absentee ballots

    Gov. Bill Lee and state Election Coordinator Mark Goins say fear of catching COVID-19 does not qualify as a reason to vote by mail as the state faces two legal challenges of its absentee ballot rules.

    By Sam Stockard May 13, 2020

• March 2020

  • Lamar calls elections coordinator ‘vague’ on voting plan

    With July early voting four months away, state Rep. London Lamar is questioning whether the Secretary of State’s Office is prepared to deal with a pandemic, saying universal absentee voting is needed to avoid risking people's lives.

    By Sam Stockard March 24, 2020

• February 2020

  • Secretary of State tries to sidestep federal voter registration injunction

    Secretary of State Tre Hargett is seeking legislation establishing a new set of voter registration rules, including $50 levies for violations, even though a federal judge enjoined the 2019 law because of its criminal and civil penalties.

    By Sam Stockard February 20, 2020

  • DeBerry bill to expedite vote counts fails

    A House subcommittee declined Wednesday to vote on legislation by Rep. John DeBerry, which is designed to speed up vote counts, as lawmakers raised concerns about releasing early and absentee vote totals while voters stand in line

    By Sam Stockard February 19, 2020

• October 2019

  • Ranked-choice voting advocates weigh election results, prepare for court action

    Carlos Ochoa of Ranked Choice Tennessee says the group expects the state coordinator of elections to again rule the voting system can’t be used in Tennessee. 

    By Bill Dries October 11, 2019

• September 2019

  • Judge denies state request to dismiss voter registration lawsuit

    A federal judge has denied the state’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by four groups challenging a new voter registration law filled with penalties for turning in incomplete forms as well as other requirements the judge questioned.

    By Sam Stockard September 09, 2019

• July 2019

  • Instant-runoff voting probably a no-go for 2019 city elections

    The debut of instant-runoff or ranked-choice voting in Memphis probably won’t happen with the 2019 Memphis elections.

    By Bill Dries July 11, 2019

• May 2019

  • Tennessee sued over voter registration law

    Six groups, including a Memphis-based law firm, filed suit this week challenging Tennessee’s new third-party voter registration law, contending it violates “fundamental” constitutional rights with the threat of civil and criminal penalties.

    By Sam Stockard May 04, 2019

• April 2019

  • Memphis Democrats condemn voter registration restrictions stemming from Shelby incident

    With a vote set for Monday, Shelby County Democratic lawmakers are castigating a bill from the Secretary of State’s Office penalizing paid voter registration drives for failing to undergo training and for turning in incomplete forms.

    By Sam Stockard April 20, 2019

  • Voter registration groups criticize proposed penalties

    Tennessee Black Voter Project and other groups could face fines for turning in hundreds of incomplete voter registration forms.

    By Sam Stockard April 03, 2019

• February 2019

  • Election Commission will not appeal state ban on IRV

    The Shelby County Election Commission will not appeal a state order barring the use of instant-runoff voting in the 2019 city elections. It is the last major decision of an election commission that is getting three new members.

    By Bill Dries February 20, 2019

  • Tennessee elections coordinator rules out instant-runoff voting for 2019 Memphis elections

    Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins ruled Friday the Shelby County Election Commission cannot use instant-runoff voting in this October's city of Memphis elections. 

    By Bill Dries February 15, 2019

• January 2019

  • Rep. Larry Miller’s bill would require top election officials to vacate office

    The secretary of state and coordinator of elections would have to leave their posts if they seek public office under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis.

    By Sam Stockard January 24, 2019

• October 2018

  • State elections coordinator reports ‘large number’ of duplicate voter registrations, other problems

    Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, responding to questions from Memphis state lawmakers, says county election offices are encountering duplicate voter registrations and other problem applications amid record numbers of voter sign-ups for the mid-term election Nov. 6.

    By Sam Stockard October 24, 2018

  • Memphis lawmakers question secretary of state about voter registration ‘ALERT’

    Three Memphis legislators are questioning the secretary of state about voter registration results, the number of people whose applications have been denied and alleged scams reported by the state office amid a wave of voting interest for the 2018 elections.

    By Sam Stockard October 19, 2018