Outraged Democrats are demanding an investigation into Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett for asking thousands of voters to provide proof of citizenship ahead of the presidential election in November.
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office confirmed the Division of Elections in June sent out more than 14,000 letters questioning the citizenship status to potential non-U.S. citizens.
“Our office has received information that appears to indicate your voter information matches with an individual that may or may not have been a United States citizen at the time of obtaining a Tennessee driver’s license or ID card,” the letter reads.
NEW: The Secretary of State of Tennessee is asking 14,000 voters to prove citizenship ahead of the presidential election.
Democrats are demanding an investigation, claiming 'voter intimidation.' pic.twitter.com/muc7o3YSpZ
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 26, 2024
The letter goes on to point out that illegal voting is a felony punishable by two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
It offers U.S. citizens a prepaid mailing option to submit proof of their citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate.
Now state House Democrats are accusing Hargett’s office of attempting to intimidate voters and demanding an investigation.
“On its face, this letter is an egregious and unlawful act by a state official targeting a certain population of citizens who are lawful voters, with the clear intent to intimidate them,” said Rep. John Ray Clemmons (Nashville) said in a statement.
Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty (R), however, praised Hargett’s move and jabbed at Democrats’ lack of initiative to secure the election.
“If an outstanding Secretary of State’s Office like we have in Tennessee has identified and is taking action on 14,375 potential non-citizens who may have registered to vote, imagine what Blue State officials aren’t doing or won’t do,” he wrote on X Wednesday.
If an outstanding Secretary of State’s Office like we have in Tennessee has identified and is taking action on 14,375 potential non-citizens who may have registered to vote, imagine what Blue State officials aren’t doing or won’t do. https://t.co/p1tvE3wXlZ
— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) June 26, 2024
This comes as government agencies in 49 states are providing voter registration forms to illegal aliens without requiring proof of citizenship, and at least 19 states and Washington, DC, also allow non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses.
These insecure and easily exploitable Democrat policies have led Republican lawmakers like Hargett to take steps to ensure a fair election.
House Republicans have yet to schedule a floor vote for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which will require states to receive proof of citizenship when anyone registers to vote by mail, at a DMV or a welfare agency office.
Reports suggest the measure could be brought for a vote before the August recess.