Voting Rights

"The right to vote freely for the candidate of one's choice is of the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government.”-- Chief Justice Earl Warren, Reynolds vs. Sims, 377 U.S. 533 (1964)

Voting is a fundamental right that is the cornerstone of our democracy. ACLU-TN is committed to ensuring that every citizen has the right to vote.

ACLU-TN’s work on voting rights focuses on felony re-enfranchisement. The ACLU-TN Right to Vote (RTV) Campaign seeks to link former felons to their right to vote as a part of its larger commitment to create a functioning, productive, and secure community of people whose civil liberties and civil rights are protected.

Highlights of our work include:

• Increasing public awareness about why it is important to restore the right to vote to former felons;

• Passing legislation that streamlines the process for former felons to have their right to vote restored;

• Alerting former felons, inmates preparing to complete their sentence, and agencies serving formerly incarcerated individuals, about how former felons can restore have their right to vote restored; and

• Engaging in litigation to remove administrative and legislative barriers preventing former felons from restoring their right to vote.

Click here to learn more about why ACLU-TN launched the Right to Vote Campaign.

 

Press Releases

Legislative Alerts

Events

Past Events

Resources

 

Press Releases

February 6, 2007: ACLU-TN to Expand Efforts to Restore Voting Rights to Former Felons

August 16, 2006: ACLU-TN Announces "Get Your Right to Vote Back" Town Hall Meeting in Chattanooga on Monday, August 21 (24 KB)

August 10, 2006: ACLU-TN Announces "Get Your Right to Vote Back" Town Hall Meeting in Memphis on Tuesday, August 15 (25 KB)

August 4, 2006: ACLU-TN Kicks Off "Get Your Right to Vote Back" Town Hall Meetings Across State (23 KB)

May 17, 2006: Tennessee Legislature Simplifies Voting Restoration for Ex-Felons

 

Legislative Alerts

May 9, 2008: ACLU-TN Chart of 2008 TGA Bills Related to Voting Rights

April 25, 2006: Restoration of voting rights - tell your representative to vote FOR HB1722

March 18, 2005: Restoring Ex-Felons' Voting Rights - Urge Your Legislators to Vote Yes by Tuesday

 

Events

Knoxville -- April 8, 2008: Re-entry and Restoration of Voting Rights: Dismantling Felon Disenfranchisement Laws in Tennessee

 

Past Events

Nashville-- Thursday, May 3, 2007, United Steelworkers Union Hall, 3340 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN  37211
Breaking the Chains: From Jail Cell to Voting Booth
ACLU-TN Right to Vote Conference

Jackson - Thursday, September 7, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Madison County Agricultural Complex

Jackson "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (24 KB)

Murfreesboro - Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Patterson Park Community Center

Murfreesboro "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (25 KB)

Clarksville - Tuesday, September 5, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Clarksville-Montgomery County Board of Education

Clarksville "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (22 KB)

Nashville - Thursday, August 31, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church

Nashville "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (22 KB)

Chattanooga - Monday, August 21, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Chattanooga Hamilton County Library

Chattanooga "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (22 KB)

Memphis - Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
University of Memphis School of Law

Memphis and Jackson "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (24 KB)

Knoxville - Monday, August 7, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm,
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Johnson City - Tuesday, August 8, 2006, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm,
Johnson City Public Library

Knoxville and Johnson City "Get Your Right to Vote Back" flyer (24 KB)

 

Resources

Why ACLU-TN Launched the Right to Vote Campaign (115 KB)