Criminal Justice (Elections)

HB 69 requires Tennessee to create two secure electronic portals by January 1, 2028, to verify voter eligibility before processing registration applications. The first portal will let county election offices check if applicants are U.S. citizens using records from the Department of Safety (like driver's license data), and the second will verify felony conviction status using Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) records. The bill also updates driver's license laws to require proof of U.S. citizenship for new licenses and removes references to non-citizens in eligibility criteria. These changes directly affect voter applicants, county election administrators, and the Department of Safety/TBI in their verification processes.

SB 1211 automatically restores voting rights to Tennessee residents who complete their felony sentences, including parole or probation, without requiring a court order. It directly affects people with felony convictions who have finished all court-imposed terms. The bill replaces the previous requirement for a court to restore rights with a system where a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision triggers automatic eligibility. Election officials must track suspended registrations and update voter rolls when eligibility is confirmed, using standardized forms for courts and the Department of Correction. This changes how Tennessee handles voting rights for returning citizens after sentence completion.