Press Release
NEW POLL: New Poll Shows That 73% of Tennessee Voters Support Restoring Voting Eligibility To Tennesseans With Past Felony Convictions
NASHVILLE, TN – A nonpartisan statewide poll released today shows that the vast majority of Tennessee voters, 73 percent, support a bill to restore voting eligibility for Tennesseans with past felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including probation or parole. The results also find strong support among a significant majority (62 percent) of Republican voters.
Additional findings include:
63 percent of voters say they are more likely to vote for their state representative in the upcoming elections if they support legislation to restore voting eligibility to people with past convictions.
A majority of voters (53 percent) say it should be a priority for the legislature to pass this bill into law during the 2020 legislative session.
64 percent of voters surveyed specifically support restoring voting eligibility for someone who has successfully completed all the requirements of their sentence, except that they are still on probation only because they cannot afford to pay their court fines, probation fees, or other financial obligations in full.
The 600 person statewide poll was conducted by Anchor Research and Baker Group Strategies, and fielded by a bipartisan effort working to advance election and criminal justice reforms.
Tennessee is one of only 8 states (AL, AZ, IA, KY, MS, TN, VA, WY) that currently prohibits most people with past felony convictions from regaining the eligibility to vote or has a process in place that is so burdensome or complex that it can effectively serve as a prohibition on eligibility.
“The overwhelming bi-partisan support in this poll clearly demonstrates that Tennesseans support eliminating the current burdensome restoration process, they want the legislature to prioritize getting this done in the 2020 legislative session, and they will look favorably upon elected officials who support voter restoration come election time,” said Colin Weaver, Director of State Affairs for Secure Democracy, adding that, “You can’t ask for a clearer signal that voters want real change and they want it now.”
“Tennesseans believe in redemption and second chances. Polling shows it and it’s backed up by what the grassroots community has been telling us,” said Tori Venable, State Director at Americans for Prosperity - Tennessee, adding that, “The restoration of liberty is an essential piece of our broader criminal justice reform proposals we are working with lawmakers on for 2020. By working together, we can enact common-sense reforms and remove re-entry barriers that drive recidivism and prevent people from fully rejoining their communities.”
“Voting is at the very core of what it means to be a part of the community and a valued member of our country’s democracy,” said Bettie Kirkland, Executive Director of Project Return, adding that, “The denial of voting does not preserve public safety or improve community health. Instead, it isolates and dehumanizes people. Restoring voting eligibility is an important part of successful reentry after incarceration.”
“1 in 5 of Tennessee’s Black citizens of voting age are disenfranchised by our complex, bureaucratic process around voting restoration,” added Tequila Johnson, President of The Equity Alliance, adding that, “Right now, there is an incredible amount of grassroots momentum on this issue. Public pressure is mounting for our elected officials to make a change to these outdated laws.”
“Voting is both a fundamental right and the most powerful way to use one’s voice in our democracy. When it comes to voting restoration, it’s becoming more and more clear that Tennessee voters believe that our state’s voting policies unfairly and unjustly punish people who have completed their sentences,” said Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director of the ACLU in Tennessee, adding that “ In fact, restoring the right to vote helps people who have completed their sentences reintegrate back into society. Tennessee voters from across the political spectrum have made it abundantly clear that they see the value of voter restoration.”
“Tennesseans know that civic participation is a key part of being a responsible citizen,” said Shanna Singh Hughey, president of ThinkTennessee, adding that, “And research shows that restoring voting eligibility to people with past convictions can help reduce the likelihood that they will commit crimes in the future. So streamlining the voter-restoration process is not only a commonsense way to increase Tennesseans’ ability to participate in their communities, it’s a solution that will help keep our state safe.”
“The League is pleased the poll demonstrates the overwhelming majority of Tennesseans agree that restoration of voting eligibility is important. The League hopes the legislature will quickly move to streamline the existing complex, bureaucratic and punitive process required to restore voting eligibility. The League believes that our democracy is stronger when we all participate,” said Marian Ott, President of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee. “Our volunteers know how important voting is to those returning to civic life after incarceration.”
“IMF is a faith engagement organization of pastors, clergy, and community leaders in the fight for social justice and equality. Being the moral compass to the political system, we believe in restoration, forgiveness, second chances, and mercy. This includes voting eligibility to persons who have already served their time. Total freedom is restoring their human rights and dignity without withholding something from them because of their past.” said Rev. James C. Turner II, President of the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship.
“This poll makes it clear that the people of Tennessee don’t support unfairly penalizing indigent people who can’t afford to pay outstanding financial obligations after they complete their sentences.” Said Keith Caldwell Nashville President of the NAACP, adding that,“We can’t place the burden of restoring voting rights on people who are working to rebuild their lives—that is the responsibility of the state of Tennessee.”
###
About Secure Democracy
Secure Democracy works across the country to educate policymakers and the public about secure and fair elections. Secure Democracy advocates for common-sense steps that our elected leaders can take to safeguard our elections because voting should be accessible to all eligible citizens—working families, military families, homebound seniors, students, and people in rural communities.