§ 2-2-120 — Determination of registrant's right to register - Declaration as a registered voter

(a) The administrator of elections shall determine, from the registrant's answers to the questions on the permanent registration record and other questions, if necessary, whether the registrant is entitled to register. If the administrator determines that the registrant is entitled to register, the administrator shall declare the registrant a registered voter. (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no voter shall be purged due to a deficient registration form once the administrator has declared the person a registered voter under subsection (a) unless the administrator later determines the voter knowingly made or consented to false information being placed on the registration form or failed to provide a valid signature. (c) (1) At least quarterly, during a county election commission meeting, a county election commission member of the majority and the minority party shall inspect random voter registration forms accepted by the county election commission since the previous inspection. If a deficiency is found, the deficiency shall be recorded and a written report shall be prepared including the name of the administrator at the time the voter registration form was filed, the nature of the deficiency, and whether the individual has voted since the deficient form was filed and accepted. Such report shall be filed with the state coordinator of elections. If no deficiencies are identified, the coordinator of elections shall be notified in writing of the finding. The commission members who inspect the voter registration forms shall sign and date the report. (2) If a significant number of deficient voter registration forms are discovered, then the administrator of elections may be subject to discipline by the state election commission or be terminated by the county election commission. (3) The coordinator of elections is authorized to develop a policy to implement this subsection (c). (4) The coordinator of elections shall audit at least ten (10) county election commissions annually to ensure that all required information fields on the permanent registration forms are being completed with minimal errors and that voters with deficient registrations are being given the opportunity to correct incorrect or omitted information.

Legislative History

Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-220; Acts 2010, ch. 906, § 1; 2011, ch. 181, §§ 1, 2.