Sen. Charlane Oliver will push to abolish Tennessee’s modern ‘poll tax,’ expand voting rights

On January 23, 1964, the United States ratified the 24th Amendment, prohibiting any poll tax in elections

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, marked today’s anniversary of ratifying the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by committing to an effort to expand voting rights in the state.

“On this day 59 years ago, Congress ratified the 24th Amendment, ending any poll tax in elections for federal officials. Although poll taxes have ended federally, states have reinvented poll taxes through the use of fines and fees,” Sen. Oliver said. “No matter where you live or what you look like, the right to fully participate in our elections should be respected.

“Unfortunately, politicians in Tennessee have erected extreme and unnecessary barriers that keep people from exercising their constitutional right to be a voter,” she said.

For instance, Tennessee is the only state in the nation to require child support arrears be paid in full before a formerly incarcerated person, who has completed sentencing, can restore their right of suffrage.

“This year, my goal is to protect the voting rights of those who have been disenfranchised by politics as usual and expand participation in our democracy,” Sen. Oliver said.

Sen. Oliver has already filed Senate Bill 285, which would authorize the use of a state-issued student ID for purposes of voter identification at a polling place.