NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Have you gotten a letter from the state asking to prove your citizenship for the next election? A lot of people in Tennessee say they've gotten them, and it's not a scam.
The Secretary of State's office confirms they sent out more than 14,000 of these letters to potential non-U.S. Citizens. Many of those who received a letter say they've voted in several previous elections, so immigrant groups have expressed concerns that they're being targeted.
Simon Kerr was born and raised in Derry Ireland but he calls Nashville home. He became a U.S. Citizen seven years ago.
And he says he has exercised his right to legally vote so he was shocked and disappointed to receive a letter.
"I feel like I'm a little privileged, where I could speak out against this, but I feel like there are a lot of people that won't speak out and won't go to the polls to vote for who they want to vote for. 15 And I just think that's terribly wrong and it should not be allowed," said Kerr.
The Secretary of State's office says voter rolls was compared with data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and those who received the letter may not have been a U.S. citizen when they had their first interaction with Homeland Security. The person could have been naturalized since then, but likely did not update their records.
The office says this allows voters to correct their voter registration information, and at the same time sends a strong reminder that it's a felony in Tennessee for non-citizens to vote in an election. The potential penalty is at least 2 years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
When askedif he ever voted illegally Simon said "no." He says when went to Memphis to become a citizen in June 2017 with his family it was a proud day.
Kerr says voting is a privilege. His family left Derry Ireland, a country he says voter suppression was very serious for many years before the 1960s.
So, he was really surprised to receive this letter.
The office says this allows voters to correct their voter registration information, and at the same time sends a strong reminder that it's a felony in Tennessee for non-citizens to vote in an election.
But Kerr says this is voter intimidation.
"I want them to know, they don't need to be intimidated. They need to get out and they need to vote," said Kerr. "This is why we moved to America. Because we believe in believe in democracy. And the right to vote. I just think anytime any kind of voter intimidation should not be allowed. You know, I think to me, like a lot of the Tennessee politics right now are so out of touch with working class people."
Anyone who received a letter and has questions can contact the Elections Division at 615-741-7956.
Fostering Hope provides Christmas for kids in foster care. I'm delighted to see Fostering Hope expand this year to expand their reach to now include kids in Foster care in metro AND foster kids in East TN hard hit by Helene.
-Bree Smith
