A recent decision by a federal judge to prevent Tennessee from denying people with past felony convictions their right to vote has been put on hold by a conservative panel on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the lower court’s ruling aimed at making the voting process fairer and compliant with federal law, three Trump-appointed judges have paused the decision. The trial court found that Tennessee’s practice of denying individuals the right to vote violates the National Voter Registration Act and fails to inform voters if their rights have been restored.
The Republican state officials appealed the decision and the 6th Circuit panel granted their request to pause the lower court’s decision, citing the Purcell principle of avoiding changes close to an election to avoid confusion. This means that Tennessee’s policy will remain in place while the lawsuit continues, allowing election officials to improperly reject voter registration forms.
The Campaign Legal Center has called the original decision a step in the right direction, with further claims in the lawsuit set to go to trial. Tennessee has a high disenfranchisement rate that disproportionately affects Black Tennesseans, with many facing barriers to having their voting rights restored. The lawsuit argues that the state’s restoration process is unequal and includes fees that could be considered a poll tax, violating the 24th Amendment.
Overall, the decision to pause the lower court’s ruling has sparked controversy and raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement in Tennessee, particularly for Black Tennesseans. The lawsuit’s claims highlight the need for a fair and accessible voting process for all eligible voters.
Source
Photo credit www.democracydocket.com