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Opinion | Why are Republican lawmakers in Tennessee trying to make it more difficult to vote? | Richard Ransom

Dozens of bills are being considered that would make it harder to vote in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — In tonight's Ransom Note: suppressing the vote.

There's not one shred of evidence of widespread voter fraud in Tennessee --or any state for that matter-- yet state legislatures are rushing to make voting harder, not easier. Tennessee is considering more than its fair share: 60 different bills! One would have eliminated early voting altogether, which is something 78% of Tennessee voters took advantage of. Thankfully, that one's been withdrawn.

Another wants your name posted on the county election commission website if you request an absentee ballot. Another would let candidates get a pass from having to reveal their financial statements right before an election. Still another wants all of us to be fingerprinted when you vote. How about this one? You could vote in a city's election if you own property there, even if you don't live there.

If candidates or parties are worried about losing, the answer isn't to make voting harder. The answer is to win on the issues and the votes will follow.

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