NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – First-time voters in Tennessee won’t have to appear in person to vote while a court appeal proceeds, as the Oct. 27 deadline to request an absentee ballot approaches.
In a 3-0 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel on Monday declined the state’s request to reinstate the in-person requirement while the court mulls the case.
The decision maintains a lower court’s order last month.
The blocked law requires first-time voters to cast a ballot in person or show ID at the local election office before voting by mail, if they qualify.
Instead, officials are requiring certain first-time voters to submit a copy of their ID during the absentee voting process.