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SB 348

Election Laws - As introduced, requires the state coordinator of elections to monthly compare the statewide voter registration database with relevant databases of state and federal agencies to ensure non-United States citizens are not registered to vote in this state; revises documents that may be provided to prove United States citizenship upon request by a county election commission; revises the process of appealing a determination that an individual is not qualified to vote based upon citizenship status. - Amends TCA Title 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Joey Hensley

Tennessee bill mandates monthly voter-registration database checks against federal/state records to identify non-citizen registrants, revising citizenship documentation and appeal procedures.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 348

Legislative bill overview

SB 348 requires Tennessee's election coordinator to conduct monthly comparisons between the voter registration database and state/federal agency databases to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. The bill also modifies which documents can prove U.S. citizenship and streamlines the appeals process for citizenship-based voter qualification challenges.

Why is this important

Voter eligibility verification directly affects election integrity and public confidence in voting systems. The monthly comparison requirement represents a shift toward more frequent automated checking, while changes to citizenship documentation and appeals procedures alter how contested registrations are resolved—impacting both election administration efficiency and individual voter rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Automation concerns: Monthly database cross-checks may flag eligible citizens for removal if records contain errors or outdated information, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters without sufficient due process protections
  • Documentation standards: Revising acceptable citizenship proof documents could create barriers for some eligible citizens (e.g., those without specific forms of ID) while potentially being insufficient to catch ineligible registrants
  • Appeals process changes: Modified appeal procedures could either streamline legitimate cases or make it harder for wrongly-flagged voters to restore their registration status, depending on implementation details not fully specified in the bill description

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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