NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s 95 county election administrators could require “satisfactory proof of citizenship” from people seeking to register to vote under a bill approved Monday by senators on a 20-12 vote.
Opponents warned the bill could lead to “racial profiling” and discourage some Tennesseans from registering. But supporters said it better protects the “integrity of elections.”
Senators spent nearly two hours in a largely partisan debate on the bill, sponsored by Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland. It came to the floor as a measure only requiring would-be voters to check a box saying they are U.S. citizens.
But under an amendment offered by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, it does much more. Monday was the second day spent on the measure.
“What you have right now is, in a phrase, don’t ask, don’t tell,” said Sen. Norris said, who argued election officials currently are “afraid to ask” and the person seeking to register “doesn’t tell.”
But Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, said the bill will “hamper people who want to be a part of the system. I think it’s just a bad piece of legislation. It’s mean-spirted, and I think it’s going to come back and bite some of us who will be back here next year.”
Under Sen. Norris’ amendment, the bill says election officials “may” require a voter to provide proof of citizenship. The list of accepted proof includes birth certificates or passports but also allows for other unspecified documents. Senate Democrats argued it gives county election administrators to much leeway.
“This is unbridled, undirected discretion,” Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson said.
The bill only applies to future registrations. Those already registered to vote would not be impacted unless they move to another jurisdiction.
Current law already makes it a crime punishable by 2 to 12 years to deceive election officials about citizenship, but Senate proponents say it is confusing and not really enforced.
The bill now goes back to the House.
The 12 no votes came from Democrats, including Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, who later said, “I have concerns when a person can walk in, swear under oath they are a citizen, provide a Tennessee driver’s license and still not be allowed to vote.”
In other action Monday:
* Senators voted 22-10 for a bill that lets people legally in the U.S. continue taking the written portion of the Tennessee driver’s license exam in English, Spanish, Japanese and German. The state would have to get the law changed to offer tests in any other language.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, said his bill “sends a message” that Tennesseans want English spoken. Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, argued it is a bad message to foreign companies looking at investing in Tennessee.
The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the House Budget Subcommittee.
* Senators sent to Gov. Bredesen a bill letting the Chattanooga City Council decide whether to allow liquor and wine sales at the Tivoli as well as Memorial Auditorium.
Sen. Berke said this now “puts the issue before the city.”
* The House sent the governor legislation requiring certain drunken drivers who had a 0.15 blood-alcohol level to use an ignition interlock device that ensures their blood alcohol levels are at a safe level before their vehicles will start.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Tennessee gubernatorial responses
Article: Amendment to ban income tax advances