Washington, D.C. –“In no uncertain terms, we condemn the bill passed by Tennessee lawmakers’ which has the effect of suppressing the efforts of those seeking to register people to vote. The bill would have a harmful effect on organizations that work to reach those not-yet registered, and marginalize communities who historically benefit from third-party voter protection efforts.
“The combination of burdensome and vague preregistration requirements and draconian criminal and civil penalties imposed by this bill makes it one of the worse voter suppression measures that we have seen in 2019,” said Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
“Given that Tennessee has some of the lowest registration rates in the country, lawmakers should be working to make it easier and not harder to vote. We stand with organizations across the state in urging Governor Lee to immediately veto this measure.”
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law joined with organizations and sent a letter to Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee urging him to veto the legislation.
You can find the letter here.
About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 56th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.
Contact
Reynolds Graves, Lawyers’ Committee, RGraves@LawyersCommittee.org, 202-662-8375
