In Tennessee, 470,000 people are unable to vote due to a felony conviction. We are second in the entire country for this state of affairs. Tennessee has one of the most complicated voting restoration laws in any state. We are one of only 7 states that bases the restoration of the right to vote on the payment of fines, fees, or restitution. We are one of only 6 states that has a requirement to submit an application for voting rights restoration. We are one of only 5 states that permanently disenfranchises anyone. And we are the only state in the nation that requires an individual to be up-to-date on child support to get their voting rights back. In contrast, just a few decades ago, from January 15, 1973-May 17, 1981, there was no felony disenfranchisement in Tennessee.

This legislative session, we have the opportunity to Free The Vote in Tennessee. SB1241/ HB1256 would eliminate barriers to the voter rights restoration process.

Your legislator will help decide whether or not to pass legislation to Free The Vote. As their constituent, an email from you could help to pass this legislation and make history in Tennessee and around the country. It will only take 5 minutes to email your legislator with this online tool.