Memphis lawmakers pass effort to restore voting rights for some Tennesseans
State Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, (left) and state House of Representatives Democratic Leader Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis, (right) led the legislation forward with support from Free Hearts, a community nonprofit led by formerly incarcerated women that advocates for a more equitable justice system. (The Daily Memphian file)
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill this week reforming two long-standing financial barriers that have blocked formerly incarcerated people from having their voting rights restored.
The legislation, SB0336/HB0687, makes two significant changes to state law:
- Eliminates the requirement that returning citizens must pay off all outstanding court costs before their voting rights can be restored. A person can still owe court fees and never lose the right to vote under this new rule.
- Replaces the requirement that returning citizens must be completely caught up on all child support payments with a new standard: 12 months of documented compliance with child support orders, including payment plans for debts. Those debts won’t disappear, but they will no longer bar a person from voting.
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Tennessee General Assembly Voting voting rights Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Noah McLane
Noah McLane reports on the state house for The Daily Memphian. He was born and raised in Tennessee and attended journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, where his passion for community-focused storytelling began.
Prior to writing for The Daily Memphian, Noah was the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper, worked on general assignment for the Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyoming, and was most recently an editorial intern at the Nashville Scene.
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