TN
Tennessee Senate Bill SB1241

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB1241

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 40, relative to voting rights.

Impact

The legislation is positioned as a mechanism to ensure electoral integrity by limiting the voter base to those eligible. It mandates that persons whose voting rights have been suspended can re-register only after confirming their eligibility through various means such as a pardon or court judgment. This legislative shift serves to institutionalize the process of managing individuals' voting rights based on criminal history and is likely to affect a significant number of citizens previously eligible to vote, depending on how many individuals fall under the definition of an infamous crime.

Summary

Senate Bill 1241 seeks to amend Tennessee's voting laws, particularly concerning citizens convicted of infamous crimes. The bill clarifies the definition of 'infamous crime' as a felony and outlines the processes for suspending and restoring voting rights for individuals who have been convicted. Individuals accused of such crimes will have their voter registrations automatically suspended upon conviction, which will not count towards the total registered voter count in the respective county. The measures are aimed at streamlining the management of voter registrations related to criminal convictions.

Contention

Discussion around SB1241 highlights significant points of contention relating to civil rights, with advocates for criminal justice reform raising concerns about disenfranchisement. Critics argue that automatically suspending voting rights based on felony charges can disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Moreover, the definitions and implications of what constitutes an 'infamous crime' could lead to confusion and disparate outcomes in voter eligibility. The balance between maintaining voting integrity and protecting citizens' rights remains a pivotal issue in the legislative dialogue surrounding this bill.

Latest SB1241 Activity

Companion Bills

TN HB1256

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 40, relative to voting rights.

Similar Bills

TN HB0992

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3; Section 2-3-107; Title 4, Chapter 29, Part 2; Section 8-35-242; Section 8-38-126; Section 9-8-203; Section 10-7-504; Section 37-1-408 and Title 49, relative to charter schools.

TN SB1014

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3; Section 2-3-107; Title 4, Chapter 29, Part 2; Section 8-35-242; Section 8-38-126; Section 9-8-203; Section 10-7-504; Section 37-1-408 and Title 49, relative to charter schools.

TN HB0074

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 4; Title 8; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 50; Title 54; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to high school equivalency credentials.

TN SB0255

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 4; Title 8; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 50; Title 54; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to high school equivalency credentials.

TN HB0321

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1; Title 2; Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 20; Title 22; Title 24; Title 31; Title 33; Title 36; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69 and Title 71, relative to electronic transmissions.

TN SB0329

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1; Title 2; Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 20; Title 22; Title 24; Title 31; Title 33; Title 36; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69 and Title 71, relative to electronic transmissions.

TN SB1227

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 7; Title 8; Title 10; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50; Title 57; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 70, relative to firearms.

TN HB1189

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 7; Title 8; Title 10; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50; Title 57; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 70, relative to firearms.