Tennessee House Bill HB0543

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to voter registration.

Impact

The implementation of HB 543 would necessitate a shift in how county election commissions manage their voter registration data. By making purged registrations publicly accessible, the bill seeks to bolster trust in the electoral process, as it allows constituents to stay informed about voter registration changes within their jurisdictions. It also places an obligation on election officials to maintain accurate and up-to-date records, thereby minimizing the potential for errors or mismanagement. However, this requirement may impose increased administrative tasks on local election offices as they compile and publish these lists each month.

Summary

House Bill 543 aims to enhance the transparency of the voter registration process in Tennessee by amending the existing voter registration laws. The bill mandates that each county election commission is required to publish a monthly list of all voter registrations that have been purged in the previous month. This list must include specific information such as the name, date of birth, and ZIP code of each purged voter. The intention behind this provision is to provide the public with clear visibility into the status of voter registrations and to increase accountability within local election commissions.

Contention

While proponents of HB 543 argue that increased transparency will help safeguard electoral integrity, there are concerns regarding the privacy of voters, particularly those whose registrations are purged. Critics may argue that publicizing personal information could lead to voter intimidation or discrimination. Furthermore, some stakeholders may contend that the requirement places unnecessary burdens on local election offices, which may already be facing resource constraints. The discussions surrounding the bill highlight a tension between enhancing public access to electoral information and protecting individual voter privacy.