Proposal would overhaul blocked Tennessee voter signup law

In this April 15, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, left, attends a House session, in Nashville, Tenn. Hargett, who had previously argued the original 2019 voter registration law would bolster election security, is submitting a separate bill in 2020 that will criminalize "intentional dissemination of misinformation" surrounding the qualifications to vote, voter registration requirements, voter eligibility and polling dates, times and locations. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) In this April 15, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, left, attends a House session, in Nashville, Tenn. Hargett, who had previously argued the original 2019 voter registration law would bolster election security, is submitting a separate bill in 2020 that will criminalize "intentional dissemination of misinformation" surrounding the qualifications to vote, voter registration requirements, voter eligibility and polling dates, times and locations. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI / The Associated Press February 19, 2020 4 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a new proposal to amend the state’s legally contentious voter-registration restrictions that are currently blocked from being enforced during the 2020 elections.

Last year, Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed GOP-backed legislation that made Tennessee the first state in the country to fine registration groups for turning in too many incomplete signup forms. It also criminalized intentional infractions of other new rules with misdemeanor charges.

However, the law immediately prompted two lawsuits and sparked national criticism from those who argued that the law would suppress efforts to register minorities and other voters.

A federal judge later blocked the implementation of the law as it awaits trail in February 2021, saying the law would have a ” chilling effect ” on organizations and individuals seeking to register voters.

In the interim, Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday decided to once again back new rules on how to sign up new voters.