(The Center Square) – Tennessee’s Senate passed a bill this week that would require voters to request an absentee ballot 10 days before an election instead of the current seven days.
Senate sponsor Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, said the intent of the bill is to have more absentee ballots counted. In a recent Knoxville mayoral election, he said that only two of the 32 absentee ballots requested seven days before the election were returned in time to be counted.
Tennessee does not allow the hand delivery of absentee ballots and requires ballots to arrive via mail before polls close on Election Day. The state also requires a reason for requesting a ballot , such as being 60 years of age, outside of the county on Election Day or caring for a sick or disabled relative.
Senate Bill 1967 would take effect on Nov. 6, 2024 after passing the Senate 27-6. The House version of the bill was scheduled to be heard Wednesday by the Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee. It would have to be passed by the House and sent to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature before becoming law.