The Tennessee Election Integrity Act, which passed the Senate 27-0 and the House 92-1, would go into effect in January 2022 if Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) signs it, the Center Square reported.
The Tennessee legislature included an amendment to an election-related bill that would require a “non-visible” watermark on every absentee ballot.
According to a bill summary:
Under present law, signature verification is the final verification necessary before a counting board counts absentee ballots. Under this amendment, signature verification will remain part of the verification process but will not be the final verification. This amendment requires a counting board official to verify that the absentee ballots contain the watermark and reject any ballot that does not bear the watermark.
A co-sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Jason Zachary (R) said the measure “requires a non-visible watermark be placed on every mailed absentee ballot, further ensuring the integrity of ballots and elections” in the state.
“No watermark, the ballot is rejected,” he added.
“Democrats are for secure elections. Let me say that again — contrary to the messaging that goes from whoever sends it out: Democrats are for secure elections,” state Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D) said, according to the Tennessee Star.
“This is a good bill, a very good bill, and I want to thank you for bringing it,” he added.
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Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, said there are five vendors in the state that provide the paper for absentee ballots and all are able to put the watermarks on the ballot.
After some debate on the cost of previously purchased paper without the watermarks, Griffey said the estimated cost would be $105 per election commission.
He disputed the notion that the bill’s intent was to suppress votes.
“I think this bill is to ensure that absentee ballots that go out have an additional security measure,” Griffey said.
“All Tennesseans desire secure elections,” state Rep. Jerome Moon (R) said. “Thank you for a very well thought out, very researched piece of legislation.”
Lee has not indicated if he will sign the bill, which can be read in full here.
