Tennessee

Voters ask a judge to stop a new Tennessee law from being enforced in the March primary

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2023

Voters ask a judge to stop a new Tennessee law from being enforced in the March primary

Tennessee voters are asking a federal judge to stop a new polling place law from going into effect before the next election on March 5.

Former Knoxville mayor Victor Ashe, the League of Women Voters and others filed an injunction Dec. 8 related to their lawsuit challenging a state law that requires a voter to be a “bona fide” member of a political party to vote in the primary election. The voters are trying to persuade the judge that the law is too vague and could be used against individuals that party leaders don’t like ‒ for any reason.

“In the next primary, plaintiffs will not be able to navigate how to vote without unreasonably risking prosecution. This will lead plaintiffs and others either to simply not vote or risk criminal prosecution for exercising their fundamental right to vote,” they argue in the new filing.

The law requires polling places to post signs informing voters it is illegal to vote in a primary election without being a “bona fide” member, but those details aren’t defined by the law. The law would come into play for the first time in the March 5 local and presidential primary election. The March 5 presidential primary is part of Super Tuesday, when voters in Tennessee, 14 other states and one territory will select more than one-third of Republican Party delegates.

Ashe told Knox News the ultimate goal of the lawsuit is to stop the law permanently. But since the legal process takes time, an injunction is the only way to ensure signs aren’t posted at polling places in March.

“We’re hopeful that the injunction will be issued,” he said, adding he wants people to feel comfortable and encouraged to vote in the March primary, which includes both important local races and the presidential candidate vote.

The lawsuit alleges there is no legal mechanism to determine a voter’s “bona fide” party credentials and the law could spark voter confusion. Tennessee does not require voters to register by political party, meaning voters choose at the polls what party primary ballot they prefer.

“In the current political climate ‒ where a single critique of a former president can subject even lifetime party stalwarts to derision as ‘RINOs’ (to use an example of a Republican term) and exile from party membership, and where state and nationwide parties often seek to expel their members for conduct having little to do with genuine belief in the party’s platform ‒ it is impossible for voters to have confidence that their ‘bona fides’ are sufficient to avoid prosecution come voting day,” the injunction says.

Along with Ashe, the League of Women Voters of Tennessee and Knoxville voter Phil Lawson filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville.

“This new law will have a chilling effect on Tennesseans exercising their right to vote and creates unnecessary confusion for voters,” Debby Gould, president of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, said in a statement. “The League of Women Voters will continue to fight to ensure that all voters are empowered at the ballot box and can feel confident in their right to vote.”

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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Tennessee

Four-star 2026 defensive back Justin Hopkins narrows list to 12, including Tennessee football

Published

11 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Four-star 2026 defensive back Justin Hopkins narrows list to 12, including Tennessee football

Ensworth defensive back Justin Hopkins included Tennessee football among his final 12 schools in a social media post Wednesday.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound four-star cornerback listed the Vols along with Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Duke, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Iowa, Ole Miss, Auburn and West Virginia on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

He’s the No. 9-ranked prospect in Tennessee and No. 18 nationally at corner for the class of 2026, according to 247Sports Composite.

Hopkins also holds offers from Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Purdue, Toledo, UNLV and Western Kentucky.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel guided the Vols to a College Football Playoff berth as one of the 12 teams in the newly expanded field. Heupel has had success securing some of the state’s top recruits in recent years, including Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre, Hopkins’ teammate, defensive tackle, Ethan Utley as well as Baylor wide receiver Joakim Dodson, Jefferson County offensive lineman Nic Moore and Sheffield wideout Radarious Jackson.

Hopkins helped guide Ensworth to an 11-1 record that included a trip to the TSSAA Division II-AAA state semifinal game. He finished the 2024 season with 42 receptions for 705 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he added 16 tackles, two for a loss, seven pass break-ups, two interceptions and a defensive TD.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

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Tennessee

Titans, Bengals Linked to Intriguing QB Trade

Published

19 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Titans, Bengals Linked to Intriguing QB Trade

The Tennessee Titans need to find an answer at quarterback, as it’s looking more and more like Will Levis is not the answer for the future.

Yes, Levis played some solid football for a stretch this season, but he was recently benched in favor of Mason Rudolph, perhaps sealing his fate.

So, what will the Titans do under center?

The clearest path to landing a franchise quarterback would be drafting one, but Tennessee may not be in a position to land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in April. Could that means the Titans may explore a trade?

Justin Melo of Titan Sized thinks so and feels that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning could be an option for Tennessee during the offseason, noting that Titans head coach Brian Callahan served as Browning’s offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.

“Browning showcased the ability to execute the Zac Taylor and Callahan offense,” Melo wrote. “[Joe] Burrow’s backup is under contract for next season, but the Titans shouldn’t have too much difficulty working out trade compensation should they decide to travel that route. If Carthon and Callahan prefer to avoid making a lucrative investment, Browning would make some sense.”

With Burrow having the quarterback position locked down for the Bengals, Browning won’t get an opportunity to start in Cincinnati, barring an injury.

Remember: last year, Browning replaced an injured Burrow midseason and was very impressive, throwing for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 70.4 percent of his passes and posting a 98.4 passer rating over nine appearances and seven starts.

The 28-year-old played his collegiate football at Washington and went undrafted, but he eventually made his way to the Bengals’ practice squad in 2021.

Browning has clear talent and should be able to start somewhere, and Tennessee could represent a perfect destination for the Folsom, Ca. native.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Tennessee

Tennessee man held on $1M bond after Adair County fatal crash

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee man held on M bond after Adair County fatal crash

COLUMBIA, Ky. (WBKO) – One of two men charged in a fatal crash in Adair County last weekend remains jailed on a $1 million cash bond.

Joel Hammack, 46, of Crossville, Tennessee, appeared in court Monday morning for arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol.

The crash, which occurred Dec. 21 near Adair Elementary School in Columbia, involved two vehicles. Several individuals were injured, and a child was killed.

In court, Hammack reportedly expressed remorse, telling the courtroom, “I am sorry for all this. I am. I am truly sorry,” according to the Adair Community Voice.

Police who detained Hammack at the scene found three open beer containers in his truck. He was arrested and taken to TJ Samson Hospital in Columbia, where a blood test was administered.

Hammack, who has at least three prior DUI convictions in other states over the past decade, is set to appear in court again on Dec. 30 for a preliminary hearing. If the judge determines probable cause exists, the case will proceed to a grand jury for possible indictment.

A public defender has been appointed to represent Hammack.

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