ACLU sues over Tennessee absentee ballot requirement

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union is suing on behalf of several people it says would be at risk by having to vote in person in Tennessee this year during the coronavirus pandemic.

The organization wants the court to make absentee voting available to all eligible voters in the state.

The group and its state organization filed its lawsuit Friday in state court against Gov. Bill Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and elections coordinator Mark Goins.

Tennessee requires voters to give an excuse for voting by absentee ballot.

Tennessee has multiple elections this year, including a statewide election on August 6 and the general election on November 3.