Lawsuit Seeks to Provide relief for Voters Impacted Across Nashville Region
WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2020) – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a national civil rights organization that leads the Election Protection coalition, filed a lawsuit seeking a three day extension of the voting period for those in regions devastated by the tornado. The lawsuit, filed in Chanery Court of Tennessee in Nashville, was brought against Governor Bill Lee, Secretary of State Hargett and Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, demanding that the state extend the period for voting for those in regions devastated by the tornado. The complaint was brought on behalf of the Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP and several impacted voters whilst their homes in Nashville.
“All voters must be provided a full and fair opportunity to vote. That is not possible for people in the Nashville region which was devastated by the tornado. Our clients chose to focus on their health and safety, and are reeling from the trauma and devastation left in the tornado’s aftermath. There was simply no meaningful way for them to overcome the obstacles that stood between them and the polls,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
One of the impacted individuals, Natasha Lane of Nashville noted that “I cannot vote today because of the stressful circumstances, the safety concerns, and exhaustion. I have to look after my mother, take her to the bathroom. I am also coping with the trauma of loosing my home which is devastating. I feel like my life has been torn apart and I have to pick up the pieces from this disaster.”
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
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