Voter Photo Advances In TN House
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee voters would have to show photo identification before they can cast ballots under a proposal that passed the House.
The measure sponsored by House Republican Caucus Chairwoman Debra Maggart of Hendersonville was approved 57-35 on Thursday. The Senate passed its version of the bill 21-11 in February, with only one Democrat voting for the measure.
However, state Attorney General Bob Cooper on Wednesday issued a legal opinion that the Republican-led effort would violate the Tennessee and U.S. constitutions.
Cooper said in the opinion that without a provision to supply voters with free ID cards, the measure “unduly burdens the right to vote,” and would constitute an unconstitutional poll tax.
