As the United States gears up for another presidential election, the topic of voting rights has once again come to the forefront. In particular, the state of Tennessee has been under scrutiny for its restrictions on early voting in certain areas, specifically in East Tennessee.
The History of Voting Rights in East Tennessee
To understand the current restrictions on early voting in East Tennessee, it is important to first look at the history of voting rights in this region. During the Civil War, East Tennessee was a stronghold for the Union and many residents were against secession from the United States. As a result, when Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861, East Tennessee was left without representation in the state government. After the Civil War ended and Tennessee was readmitted to the Union, African Americans were granted the right to vote through the 15th Amendment.However, this right was quickly suppressed through discriminatory practices such as poll taxes and literacy tests. It wasn't until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that these practices were outlawed and African Americans were able to exercise their right to vote.
The Current State of Early Voting in East Tennessee
Today, early voting is a popular option for many Americans who want to avoid long lines and potential issues on Election Day. However, in East Tennessee, there are restrictions on early voting that have been met with criticism and legal challenges. In 2011, the state legislature passed a law that limited early voting to 14 days before an election. This law also required all early voting locations to be open for the same hours, which meant that some counties with larger populations had fewer early voting locations than smaller counties.This led to longer wait times and potential disenfranchisement for voters in these larger counties. In 2018, a federal judge ruled that this law was unconstitutional and discriminatory towards African American voters. The judge ordered the state to expand early voting hours and allow for more early voting locations in larger counties. However, the state appealed this decision and the case is still ongoing.
The Impact on Voting Rights
The restrictions on early voting in East Tennessee have had a significant impact on voting rights in this region. The limited number of early voting locations and hours has made it more difficult for certain groups of people to exercise their right to vote.This includes working individuals who may not have the flexibility to take time off to vote on Election Day, as well as those who rely on public transportation and may not have access to early voting locations. Furthermore, the restrictions on early voting have disproportionately affected African American voters. In 2016, African Americans made up 16% of the population in Tennessee but accounted for 30% of early voters. This shows that early voting is a popular option for this demographic and limiting it can have a direct impact on their ability to participate in the democratic process.
The Fight for Voting Rights
Despite the challenges faced by voting rights in East Tennessee, there are organizations and individuals fighting to protect and expand these rights. The Tennessee Black Voter Project, a grassroots organization, has been working to register and educate African American voters in the state.They have also been involved in legal battles to challenge restrictive voting laws. In addition, there are ongoing efforts to pass legislation that would expand early voting in Tennessee. The Tennessee Early Voting Expansion Act, introduced in 2019, would require all counties to offer at least one early voting location for every 20,000 registered voters. This would help to address the issue of unequal access to early voting in larger counties.
The Importance of Voting Rights
Voting is a fundamental right in a democratic society and it is crucial that all citizens have equal access to exercise this right. The restrictions on early voting in East Tennessee highlight the ongoing fight for voting rights and the need for continued efforts to protect and expand these rights. As the 2020 presidential election approaches, it is important for individuals to educate themselves on the voting laws in their state and to exercise their right to vote.It is also important to support organizations and legislation that aim to protect and expand voting rights for all citizens.
