Restoration of Suffrage to Persons Convicted of Infamous Crimes

  1. Law
  2. Tennessee Code
  3. Elections
  4. Voter Registration
  5. Registration by Election Commissions
  6. Restoration of Suffrage to Persons Convicted of Infamous Crimes

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  1. Any person who has forfeited the right of suffrage because of conviction of an infamous crime may register to vote and vote at any election for which the person is eligible by submitting sufficient proof to the administrator of elections in the county in which the person is seeking to register to vote, that:
    1. The person has been pardoned of all infamous crimes and the person's full rights of citizenship, including the right of suffrage, have been restored;
    2. The person's full rights of citizenship have been restored as prescribed by law; or
    3. An appellate court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final judgment reversing the person's conviction, or convictions, of all infamous crimes.
  2. For purposes of this section, a pardon or a certified copy of a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction shall be sufficient proof to the administrator that the person fulfills the above requirements as to the offense or offenses specified on the pardon or judgment; however, before allowing a person convicted of an infamous crime to become a registered voter, it shall be the duty of the administrator in each county to verify with the state coordinator of elections that the person is eligible to register under the provisions of this section.
  3. The state election coordinator is empowered to formulate a uniform procedure for verifying the registration eligibility of any person convicted of an infamous crime. Upon receiving sufficient verification of such person's eligibility to register, the administrator shall allow such person to become a registered voter in the same manner and in accordance with the same laws, rules, or regulations as any other citizen of this state.
  4. The provisions of this section, relative to the forfeiture and restoration of the right of suffrage for those persons convicted of infamous crimes, shall also apply to those persons convicted of crimes prior to May 18, 1981, which are infamous crimes after May 18, 1981.


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