NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — While election administrators across the state expect a large number of absentee ballots, not everyone can vote by mail.
Earlier this Summer, a Davidson County Chancery Court judge put a temporary injunction on a state voting law. Chancellor Ellen Lyle argued during the times of the pandemic, anyone should be allowed to vote absentee to prevent the virus's spread.
However, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled against that injunction, saying state law already allows for protections against people who are at risk to COVID-19.
Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said the people already vote absentee wouldn't notice a difference.
"If you look at high-risk individuals, particularly those 60 or older, there was already a reason to vote," said Goins. "I think realistically, since the supreme court ruling, those people who voted by mail would've been able to vote by mail regardless of some of the rulings that Chancellor Lyle has had."
Goins said normally the absentee vote makes up about two percent of total votes. However, this year they expect one in five people to vote absentee.
Only the people who already fall into one of the guidelines to vote under current state law can vote by mail. Fear of voting in person due to coronavirus is not one of those reasons.
"If someone meets a legal reason they can vote by mail, I'd suggest they request it now and then send it in. If they want to vote in person, we're taking great precautions to ensure that that individual be as safe as possible," said Goins.
