Lay v. Goins
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit seeking to make absentee voting available to all eligible Tennessee voters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Summary
Most states allow any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot, but Tennessee requires that voters provide an excuse to do so. The state has a very narrow set of criteria to qualify for absentee voting, meaning the vast majority of voters would be forced to vote in person — or avoid voting at all for fear of becoming ill, disenfranchising thousands.
The groups are asking the court to block the state from enforcing the excuse requirement for the 2020 election calendar as while COVID-19 transmission is occurring; issue guidance instructing local election officials to issue absentee ballots to all eligible voters; and conduct a public information campaign informing voters about the elimination of the excuse requirement at this time.
Legal Documents
- 08/25/2020
ORDER - Demster v Hargett
- 08/06/2020
OPINION from Tenn Supreme Court
- 06/24/2020
Stay Denied
- 06/08/2020
Lay v. Goins - Motion to Enforce
- 05/15/2020
COMPLAINT - Lay v. Goins
Press Releases
Tennessee Supreme Court Allows Mail Ballots for All Voters With Underlying Health Conditions and Their Caretakers
Tennessee Supreme Court Refuses to Block Ruling Requiring State to Allow Absentee Voting for All Eligible Voters During COVID-19
Court Rules Tennessee in Violation of Order Requiring Absentee Ballots for All Eligible Voters in 2020
Court Rules Tennessee Must Provide Absentee Ballots to Every Eligible Voter For All Elections in 2020 Due to COVID-19
ACLU Files Lawsuit to Block Tennessee Requirement That Puts Voters at Risk During COVID-19