Democratic lawmakers ask Justice Department to probe Tennessee’s voting rights restoration changes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A group of Democratic Tennessee lawmakers is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate how the state has further restricted the process for people with felony records to get their voting rights back.

According to the letter, 22 Democratic lawmakers argue Tennessee’s elections office has stepped beyond what state law allows in requiring that people get their full citizenship rights restored or secure a pardon in addition to the restoration processes that have been in place.

“While Tennessee law permits restoration of voting rights through a straight-forward administrative procedure, the Tennessee Secretary of State has imposed an illegal, de facto procedure that injects obstacles, delay and extralegal standards that prevent virtually any eligible applicants from exercising the voting rights restored by law,” the letter states.

Democratic Rep. Caleb Hemmer and Sens. Charlane Oliver and Jeff Yarbro delivered the letter to Justice Department Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke on Thursday.

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