Tennessee

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

Published

7 months 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

What Fireworks Could Tennessee Set Off on The Trail?

Published

5 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

What Fireworks Could Tennessee Set Off on The Trail?

The Tennessee Volunteers already have the No. 11 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle. In honor of America’s birthday, we look at what fireworks could be in store as they close this class.

The 4th of July always calls for fireworks and festivites as we celebrate our country’s birth. The Tennessee Volunteers are still swinging hard on the recruiting trail this month, and we examine a few potential fireworks that could be set off over the next few weeks for them.

Landing David Sanders

Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is officially in decision mode after a flurry of official visits this summer. It seems like his recruitment will stretch into August, with a decision coming before his senior season. There are several blue blood programs still fighting for his services, but this battle likely comes down to Ohio State vs. Tennessee. Sanders would be the highest-rated commit to join Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel.

Surviving the race for Travis Smith

Westlake High School wide receiver Travis Smith will commit to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, or Tennessee on July 13. The talented Peach State native has favored the Bulldogs throughout his recruitment, but recent developments point to the Vols as a top suitor for his services. He ranks as the No. 75 prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, and would be Tennessee’s third wide receiver commit in the 2025 class.

Flipping Jadon Perlotte

Buford High School linebacker Jadon Perlotte is one of the most physically gifted defenders in America. The long-time Georgia commit has always kept an open recruitment, and Tennessee has actively recruited him for a long time. The Vols had a lot of buzz after his official visit this summer and are swinging hard to make him the centerpiece of their linebacker class.

Tennessee’s 2025 Recruiting Class:

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Tennessee

2025 linebacker Christian Gass includes Tennessee in top three

Published

12 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

2025 linebacker Christian Gass includes Tennessee in top three

2025 linebacker prospect Christian Gass named his top three schools.

Gass’ top three schools are Tennessee, Georgia and USC, according to Chad Simmons of On3. He also announced his commitment date will be July 20.

The 6-foot-2.5, 215 pound four-star linebacker prospect is from Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia.

Gass ranks as the No. 253 overall prospect in the class of 2025. He ranks as the No. 29 linebacker and No. 33 player in Georgia.

Tennessee has 16 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class: Quarterback George MacIntyre, defensive lineman Ethan Utley, tight end Jack Vandorselaer, cornerback Dylan Lewis, running back Justin Baker, wide receiver Joakim Dodson, cornerback Tyler Redmond, safety Sidney Walton, wide receiver Radarious Jackson, offensive lineman Antoni Kade Ogumoro, edge Jayden Loftin, offensive lineman Nic Moore, defensive lineman Charles House, offensive lineman Douglas Utu, cornerback Tre Poteat. and edge Mariyon Dye.

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Tennessee

TSWA releases Tennessee high school boys soccer all-state teams for 2024 TSSAA season

Published

19 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

TSWA releases Tennessee high school boys soccer all-state teams for 2024 TSSAA season

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released its 2024 all-state boys soccer teams for all five TSSAA classifications.

Here is the complete list of selections.

Class AAA

Goalkeepers: Logan Nelson, Bearden, Jr., Gudmaro Roblero Mendez, Howard, Jr.

Forwards: Dillon Sims, Bearden, Sr., Jack Boring, Brentwood, Sr., Nick Krall, Beech, Sr.

Midfielders: Jack Raulston, Bearden, Sr., Will Keeney, Ravenwood, Sr., Jack Langford, Germantown Houston, Sr., Graham Duncan, Rossview, Sr.

Defenders: Nic Prins, Bearden, Sr., Noah Davis, Science Hill, Sr., Dasan Borror, Hendersonville, Sr.

Class AA

Goalkeepers: Jonah Mitchell, South-Doyle, Jr., Tanner Myers, Greeneville, Sr.

Forwards: Jude Straussfogel, South-Doyle, So., Diego Ojeda, Alcoa, Jr., Jefferson Cervellon Sanchez, Cocke County, So.

Midfielders: Anestis Tiriakidis, South-Doyle, Jr., Brennan Lauderback, Alcoa, Sr., Colston Callis, Chester County, Sr., Ryan Hendon, Station Camp, So.

Defenders: Finn Straussfogel, South-Doyle, So., Connor Slayton, Greeneville, Sr., Jonathan Tellez, Cumberland County, Sr.

Class A

Goalkeepers: Rohan Woodruff, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences, Sr., Jeffry Valladares, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.

Forwards: Carlos Turcios Reyes, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr., Yuiman Betanco-Ramirez, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr., Eliot Nichols, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences, Sr.

More: How Ravenwood is keeping Williamson County’s soccer championship hopes alive with title berth

Midfielders: Oscar Estrada, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr., Edgar Betancourt, Independence Academy, Sr., Will Hetrick, Chattanooga School for Arts & Sciences, Sr., Jack Young, Madison Academic Magnet, Sr.

Defenders: Mekhi Morris, Madison Academic Magnet, Sr., Wyatt Yancey, Oneida, Sr., Josh Gonzales, Milan, Jr.

Division II-A

Goalkeepers: Nathan Randolph, Boyd Buchanan, So., John Payne Thomas, Battle Ground Academy, Sr.

Forwards: Andrew Pollard, Boyd Buchanan, Jr., Josh Bronk, Notre Dame, So., Naji Ghandour, Lausanne, Jr.

More: Meet the winners of the 2024 Middle Tennessee High School Sports Awards

Midfielders: Christian Melton, University School of Jackson, Sr., Phillip Collins, Boyd Buchanan, Sr., Evan Ozgener, University School of Nashville, Sr., Jackson Campbell, Lakeway Christian, Sr.

Defenders: Emory Gravitt, Boyd Buchanan, Sr., Derek Perez, Notre Dame, Sr., Jack Plucker, Lausanne, Sr.

Division II-AA

Goalkeepers: Ryan Larrabee, McCallie, Jr., Grant Clothier, Christian Brothers, Sr.

Forwards: Dylan Capazario, McCallie, Sr., Grayson Goodale, Knox Catholic, Sr., Terrance Reynolds, Ensworth, So.

Midfielders: Brandon Mathurin, McCallie, Sr., Brooks Hilger, McCallie, Fr., Richard Aylward, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr., Camden Holiday, Christ Presbyterian Academy, So.

Defenders: Philippe Laforge, Baylor, Jr., Cullen Brummer, Christian Brothers, Sr., Carson Sberna, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

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