Bill Preventing Tennessee Voter Registration For Illegal Immigrants, Convicted Felons Passes Senate Committee

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

A bill to establish “major safeguards to strengthen election integrity in Tennessee” by setting up new verification systems and requiring visual distinctions on the face of photo IDs unanimously passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee on Wednesday, April 2.

SB0133, sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27), does three main things:

1) Requires the Secretary of State to work with local and state election officials to create a secure electronic portal for county election administrators to verify U.S. citizenship and voter eligibility by January of 2025.

2) Requires the coordinator of elections, in collaboration with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to create a similar portal to verify whether someone is ineligible to vote because of a felony conviction by January of 2025.

3) Requires a visual distinction, such as a color or font on the face of a photo identification license, to differentiate the class designation for the purpose of voting.

At Wednesday’s committee meeting, there was little discussion or debate on the bill as Democrat Jeff Yarbro asked only a non-contentious clarifying question to the sponsor before the committee moved to the vote.

The vote was 7-0 in favor of recommendation, with Democrat Senators Sara Kyle and Jeff Yarbro joining Republican members Richard Briggs, Tom Hatcher, Ed Jackson, Kerry Roberts, and Page Walley in support of the measure. Senators Todd Gardenhire and Adam Lowe were not present for the vote. 

With its unanimous passage the bill will now proceed to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

The House companion, HB0069, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44), was scheduled to be heard in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on 4/2 but was deferred to 4/9.

Contact information for the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee can be found below:

Subject: Bill Preventing Tennessee Voter Registration For Illegal Immigrants, Convicted Felons

SB0133/HB0069 Summary: As introduced, requires the coordinator of elections, in collaboration with the department of safety and Tennessee bureau of investigation, to create two electronic portals prior to January 1, 2028, for purposes of verifying an applicant’s eligibility to vote based upon United States citizenship and conviction of a felony prior to registering the applicant to vote; requires department of safety to issue lawful permanent residents a temporary driver license, instead of a standard license, to aid in determining voter eligibility for someone who presents a Tennessee driver license as identification. – Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 38; Title 39; Title 41 and Title 55.

Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.