NASHVILLE — Tennessee officials are seeking a fast-tracked decision by the state Supreme Court to block the absentee-voting-for-all option that a judge has ordered during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Tennessee attorney general’s office filed the motion Friday evening, saying it’s crucial with the Aug. 6 primary election looming for the Supreme Court to take over the appeal and the state’s request to stop the expansion.
Last week, she told state officials “shame on you” for not abiding by her order when the state decided to reword its absentee voting applications on its own and hold off on sending absentee applications related to COVID-19 for most of the day after the initial ruling.
State election officials have opposed the expansion, instead recommending preparations as though all 1.4 million registered voters 60 and older will cast mail-in ballots in the primary.
The secretary of state’s website says “if you are a registered voter and do not wish to vote in-person due to the COVID-19 situation, you are eligible to request an absentee ballot by mail” under the court’s order.
