NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It’s a deadline so important, there is an entire day dedicated just to get the word out.
A process that takes very little time to complete, but it’s a much different case for those with a felony record.
“The right to vote for us, had to be fought for,” said Terrance Akins.
It’s a right Akins is willing to fight for again. Not for himself, but for the countless others just like him who also have a felony on their record.
At a satellite Davidson County Clerk’s office, Akins brought signs and was later joined by members of the nonprofit Unheard Voices Outreach on Tuesday. The same group is responsible for helping him with the paperwork necessary to apply and later get his voting rights reinstated.
The process was relatively painless, having paid most of his outstanding debts while still incarcerated. After speaking with other felons, he realized the fees and even things like child support create obstacles forcing felons to ultimately pay to vote. Call it what you will, Akins calls it another form of voter suppression.
“It’s just history repeating itself. That’s the first thing that comes to my mind is the civil rights movement,” Akins said.
On National Voter Registration Day, Akins uses this opportunity to explain how so many out there won’t have a say in the democratic process. He says these are the same people who you expect to pay taxes, you expect to follow your laws and yet, they can’t choose the elected officials who determine all those things.
Jessica Lim, an election attorney with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office, said having to apply for reinstatement all depends on the crime and when it was committed.
If you committed a felony between January 15, 1973, and May 17, 1981, you do not have to have your rights restored, but the Division of Elections does have to verify the timing of your conviction. This is unless you committed crimes like first-degree murder, rape, voter fraud or treason after July 1, 1986.
You can find a complete list, as well as a link to apply for the certificate of restoration by clicking here.
“It has to be filled out by an agent of the incarcerating or supervising authority. What that essentially means is usually the probation or parole office where they were convicted or the court,” Lim said.
Felons can choose which one of those options they want applying on their behalf.
“We process them the exact same, so it really just depends on who that person is more comfortable working with,” Lim said.
A common mistake Lim said some will make is not applying for each of their felony convictions. Once that’s done, often people forget to register as well.
The process to do so can take just a few clicks online through the same Secretary of State’s website or you can pick up an application at any number of libraries, county clerks or elections offices.
You must be 18 years old, a citizen and a resident of Tennessee. If it's this simple for some, Akins challenges legislators make it this simple for all.
“None of us are perfect, but we’re making people reach standards of perfection or goodness in order for them to have a right to vote. If we base it off a person’s righteousness, then I don’t believe any of us would vote. We couldn’t,” Akins said.
