NASHVILLE, TENN - A Tennessee lawsuit that seeks to let all voters cast ballots by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic is headed to court Thursday.
During the video conferencing hearing, a Davidson County judge will weigh whether to order a temporary injunction of more than a dozen excuses to qualify to vote absentee in Tennessee in the August primary. Those range from being sick to being 60 or older.
The lawsuit argues universal vote by mail eliminates risk of catching COVID-19 at the polls or unknowingly spreading it. State officials say they "cannot feasibly implement" the quick and costly shift.
Memphis-based voting rights group #UpTheVote901 and several voters filed the lawsuit. Two other lawsuits similarly seek the expansion of absentee voting in Tennessee for the 2020 elections. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which is leading the other state court lawsuit, has sought to participate in Thursday's hearing.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Campaign Legal Center have sued in federal court.