HB614 (SB872), which would have delayed implementation of the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act, was beaten back a bit by a well-informed and impassioned Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden). Senator Herron, who offered an amendment to address all the concerns of those orchestrating the delay, along with Senators Jim Kyle and Andy Berke, gave the citizens of Tennessee who want secure and verifiable elections a voice on the Senate floor.
The final vote for the bill was 16-14 and failed to get the majority needed to send it to the Governor for his signature.
As of 5:00 PM this afternoon, the bill has been referred back to Calendar & Rules.
UPDATE: The vote to keep the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act intact and on track for the 2010 election was along party lines, except for Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville). Yay, Senator Burchett!
Sen. Tim Barnes (D-Adams)
Sen. AndyBerke (D-Chattanooga)
Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville)
Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey)
Sen. Lowe Finney (D-Jackson)
Sen. Ophelia Ford (D-Memphis)
Sen. Thelma Harper (D-Nashville)
Sen. Doug Henry (D-Nashville)
Sen. Roy Herron (D-Dresden)
Sen. Doug Jackson (D-Dickson)
Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis)
Sen. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis)
Sen. Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere)
Sen. Reginald Tate (D-Memphis)
This is huge. Thanks for the details.
Yes, thanks for covering such an important issue. And props to those who voted to keep our elections fair and free, especially Senator Burchett.
[...] of the end of session and the bill that would have delayed bringing paper ballots to Tennesseans failing to make it out of the Senate, Memphian Steve Ross of Vibinc.com asks a most valid question, “What next?”: The [...]