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Subcommittee adopts broad election bill that bans online voting and tightens registration maintenance
Summary
An amended bill that explicitly prohibits internet voting, clarifies proof‑of‑residency rules, restores certain voter list maintenance options, and aligns purge deadlines with federal law was adopted by the subcommittee and will proceed to the full committee.
House Bill 457, as amended, was approved by the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee and will move to the State and Local Government full committee.
Chairman Rudd explained the amendment rewrites the bill to address several aspects of election administration. The measure explicitly prohibits marked ballots from being submitted online and forbids connecting voting machines to the internet. It clarifies acceptable verification of residential address for in‑person registration (examples cited include a Tennessee driver’s license, a residential lease agreement or a utility bill), and states that voter registration cards should only be printed and handed to applicants who present verification of a residential address; other registration cards must be mailed. The bill restores certain list‑maintenance options the sponsor said had been removed from state law after litigation in other jurisdictions; the sponsor referenced a Sixth Circuit decision and said the U.S. Supreme Court upheld parts of the process, permitting the change to be re‑added to state law.
Chairman Rudd said the bill also allows counties to reduce one pre‑certification meeting where appropriate to save money, clarifies notice timing for provisional counting boards, and aligns the state purge deadline with the latest date allowed by federal law. Director Mark Goins of elections was present and the chairman praised his work in committee comments; Director Goins was offered as available to answer implementation questions.
Representative Powell asked about acceptable proofs of residency; the chair read statutory language listing sample documents. Powell also asked whether restoring list‑maintenance options would increase purges; the chair said the change allows using the later federal deadline and that purges for people who have moved, died or been convicted of a felony remain allowed at any time. Members noted the state’s online filing system needs funding for an upgrade but that is separate from the bill language.
An amendment identified in committee was adopted and the subcommittee recorded a 6–1 vote in favor of advancing the bill. The measure will go to the State and Local Government full committee.
