I am grateful Tennessee has one the best election systems in the country

When Tennesseans across the state cast their ballots for the upcoming November 5 election, we can all take comfort knowing that Tennessee elections are among the top run in the country. Every election matters. From the local school board, to the United States Presidential election it is imperative that every vote counts. In the General Assembly, we recognize the importance of election integrity and have taken many steps over the years to ensure the ballot box is protected.

This year, I was proud to co-sponsor legislation that protects the integrity of absentee ballots. It requires voters who are requesting an absentee ballot, to do so further in advance of the election. It moves the deadline to request an absentee ballot from 7 to 10 days before an election. The three additional days are largely needed as a result of slower USPS mail. In Tennessee, to protect the integrity of mail-in ballots, all absentee ballots must be returned by mail.

To further protect against voter fraud, Tennessee actively works to ensure Tennessee voter registration lists are up-to-date. Ineligible voters are routinely removed from voter rolls through list maintenance procedures. This year, I was proud to sponsor a new law that requires the coordinator of elections to compare the statewide voter registration database with the Department of Safety’s database to verify illegal aliens and non-U.S. citizens are not registered to vote.

Another measure passed this year to maintain election integrity is one that requires an administrator of elections to temporarily step down if he or she has a family member on the ballot. This move reduces potential conflicts of interest for the person in charge of elections at the local level. Under the new law the administrator would be required to step down at least 30 days prior to the election.

There are many other ways Tennessee is protecting the ballot box. In our state, voting machines are not connected to the internet. Additionally, bipartisan county election commissions must ensure voting machines are publicly tested before every election.

Legislation already in place aims to prevent cyber-hacking of the election process and the intentional spreading of misinformation that can disenfranchise voters by creating confusion. The law in place adds and strengthens penalties for those who intentionally try to disrupt the election process and makes it a Class E felony to provide or publish false or misleading information about who can vote, how to vote, or when and where to vote, when the person has intent to deceive by disseminating information which they know to be incorrect. The statute also expands the existing prohibition on tampering with a voting machine to include more aspects of the process from voter registration to election results. In addition, it makes it a Class D felony to attack, tamper, or interfere with the voting machines, electronic poll books, vote counting software, voter registration databases, ballot boxes, county or state election websites, and the election results reporting system.

In the volunteer state, it is easy to vote and hard to cheat. In order to vote, Tennesseans must present a valid state or federal photo ID and register to vote 30 days before an election. Tennessee does not allow Election day voter registration. However, for eligible voters, registering to vote is easy to do online at http://www.GoVoteTN.gov or by mail.

I encourage all citizens to get out to the polls and vote this year. Early voting has begun and runs through October 31. Election day is November 5.