Sen. Yarbro Pushing “No Excuse” Absentee Voting, Expanded Early Vote Options

Changes would provide local election officials flexibility during emergencies

NASHVILLE—Sen. Jeff Yarbro, the Senate Democratic leader, wants county election officials to have more flexibility to discourage mass in-person voting and administer elections safely during a pandemic.

Under the measure, county election commissions would have the authority to:
• offer voters an absentee ballot for any reason;
• waive the first-time, in-person voting requirement for voting by mail;
• provide an absentee ballot without a written request; and
• expand the days and times of in-person early voting.

According to Yarbro, county election officials would not be required to exercise these options during a state of emergency, but could do so if it was in the interest of public health.

The Nashville senator will introduce this voter safety amendment in the Senate State and Local Government Committee today.