Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bipartisan bill that would allow residents convicted of felonies to apply to vote again without having to restore their gun rights. The proposal, put forth by Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson and Republican Sen. Paul Bailey, seeks to untangle the two rights that were previously linked under a state Supreme Court ruling. Since July, the elections office has approved 12 applications to restore voting rights and denied 135, sparking criticism from voting rights advocates and prompting a lawsuit over the restoration process.
The bill would give judges the authority to restore someone’s right to vote separately from other rights, such as gun ownership, serving on a jury, holding public office, and fiduciary powers. Supporters of the bill argue that individuals who have served their time should have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
However, the bill may face challenges from some skeptical GOP lawmakers, who have expressed reservations about changing the current system. Despite the skepticism, there is bipartisan support for reforming the voting rights restoration process, with Republican Governor Bill Lee expressing openness to potential changes. Some lawmakers have suggested incorporating voting rights restoration into a broader study of citizenship rights laws and addressing it in a bill next year.
Overall, the bill aims to simplify and streamline the process for individuals seeking to regain their voting rights after being convicted of felonies. By separating voting rights from other privileges, lawmakers hope to ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to participate in elections and have their voices heard.
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