Lincoln Davis, Former Tennessee Congressman, Sues Over Being Turned Away At Polls

Former Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) is suing over being denied the right to vote in Tennessee's Super Tuesday primary.

Davis, whose name was erroneously removed from the voter rolls, filed a lawsuit Monday seeking class-action status against Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R), Secretary of State Tre Hargett and state election coordinator Mark Goins, The Tennessean reports. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Click here to see a copy of the lawsuit.

The Tennessee Department of State told The Huffington Post last week that Davis had been registered in two counties due to a clerical error. He was then purged from the voter rolls in Fentress County, where Davis says he has voted since 1995.

Davis says he was among many Tennessee voters whose registrations were purged under a state-directed review, and that he should have been notified when his name was removed.

"This lawsuit is not about me," Davis said, according to WBIR News. "Rather, I'm taking this action to ensure that the State of Tennessee is required to restore all Tennesseans to the voting rolls whose names were improperly removed."

Comments

[Leftturn Signaler]

12:30 AM on 03/14/2012

The Republicans have failed to interpret the Constitution they constantly wave in our faces and claim that we don't read.

Their transparent efforts to prevent African Americans and other Democratic voters for casting their ballots is sure to backfire.

Things could certainly change, and it's still going to be an uphill battle, but I think they're in for a thrashing this November. They are so absolutely blind to everything but their own agenda that they don't realize that their giant step to the right is costing them the respect and support of the moderate independents who always decide American elections.

[Joshua Sager]

01:33 AM on 03/13/2012

I worry less about Davis than the unnamed and unknown numbers of people who were also disenfranchised by recent laws; they get little attention because they have no public profile, but their vote is just as important.
Sarcasticliberal.blogspot.com

[MichaelRCooke]

01:04 AM on 03/13/2012

It's life or death, because the only way to deny me my right to vote legitimately is if I'm dead, so denying me the right to vote is a DEATH THREAT. It's self defense, shooting the man denying you the right to vote, yes?

[cynt77]

11:39 PM on 03/12/2012

Don't wrong a Conservative. They'll have your butt in court, in a flash. Let a Liberal do the same thing....they're labeled Radical.

[kibibi]

05:09 PM on 03/12/2012

this is why voting matters, and realize there's a big difference between the parties when it comes to voting rights, you never hear of Dems trying to prevent people from voting with new laws, or restrictions,, if someone can show me an example of them doing so other wise,, please do

[OldSchool4942]

05:03 PM on 03/12/2012

I wonder how many others were affected the same way. They probably don't have the resources to fight back.

[TexianLife]

05:09 PM on 03/12/2012

Some people have had to provide various documents just to register even tho they've voted their whole life. (photo ID, light bill, divorce records, birth certs, rent receipts etc etc)

[cynt77]

11:40 PM on 03/12/2012

I doubt that many were affected. I still believe he's trying to pull something.

[DruDeadly]

04:52 PM on 03/12/2012

Everybody knows these Republican charged voter ID laws are illegal. I hope all Republicans suffer from this.

[June25]

04:49 PM on 03/12/2012

The real question is who the other Lincoln Davis voted for.

[AZHusker]

04:34 PM on 03/12/2012

Was he given the chance to vote via Provisional ballot? And why was he registered in two counties? Was there another Lincoln Davis?

Read the report and seems like an honest mistake, he should have voted Provisional and then allow the process to filter everything out. How does a former congressman get to register in two different counties?

[JRC53]

05:33 PM on 03/12/2012

All the involved election commissioners agree that Davis had previously been legally registered in two counties. He lives in Fentress County and owns property in Pickett County. He is allow to vote on property related issues (zoning and tax) in Pickett, but must vote in elections in Fentress. During the statewide purge he was removed from the voter roles in Fentress, and so could not vote for elections.

[AZHusker]

06:04 PM on 03/12/2012

So he could vote for elections in Fentress but not Pickett, right? That makes more sense.

Thanks

[cynt77]

11:44 PM on 03/12/2012

Hmm, seems Davis is a "victim" of his party's own "voter fraud" purging system. He shouldn't be suing, but applauding their diligence.

[Obi-jonKenobi]

04:24 PM on 03/12/2012

It's too bad Former Rep. Lincoln Davis is only seeking a restoration of all names purged from the rolls, he should be suing for damages.

Severe financial penalties is the only way the nation-wide, criminal conspiracy by the Republicans to restrict voting by Democrat constituencies is going to be stopped. And, civil damages should only be pursued when criminal cases can't.

Put them in jail or make them pay or, preferably, both.

[Left Hook]

04:13 PM on 03/12/2012

When conservatives can't win on the issues or the strength of their positions they do what any god fearing christian GOPer would d...They rig the voting so they can.

[itzkat]

04:06 PM on 03/12/2012

This should be interesting.

[deadman449]

03:51 PM on 03/12/2012

Its democracy, but only the people "they" think should vote get to vote.

[Barbara DeZan]

03:50 PM on 03/12/2012

Good for him.

All it takes is one high-profile person with twisted knickers......

[TeeSC]

03:14 PM on 03/12/2012

It was a mistake!  It really was!!!