Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (2026)
Suffrage for persons convicted of infamous crimes
✓ current as of May 2026
The following provisions shall govern the exercise of the right of suffrage for those persons convicted of an infamous crime:
- (1) No person who has been convicted of an infamous crime, as defined by § 40-20-112, in this state shall be permitted to register to vote or vote at any election unless such person has been pardoned by the governor, or the person's full rights of citizenship have otherwise been restored as prescribed by law. However, the governor may attach to any such pardon a special condition that such person shall not have the right of suffrage until a date certain in the future, or until the expiration of the pardoned sentence, whichever period of time is less;
- (2) No person who has been convicted in federal court of a crime or offense which would constitute an infamous crime under the laws of this state, regardless of the sentence imposed, shall be allowed to register to vote or vote at any election unless such person has been pardoned or restored to the full rights of citizenship by the president of the United States, or the person's full rights of citizenship have otherwise been restored in accordance with federal law, or the law of this state;
- (3) No person who has been convicted in another state of a crime or offense which would constitute an infamous crime under the laws of this state, regardless of the sentence imposed, shall be allowed to register to vote or vote at any election in this state unless such person has been pardoned or restored to the rights of citizenship by the governor or other appropriate authority of such other state, or the person's full rights of citizenship have otherwise been restored in accordance with the laws of such other state, or the law of this state;
- (4) The provisions of this section, relative to the forfeiture and restoration of the right of suffrage for those persons convicted of infamous crimes, shall also apply to those persons convicted of crimes prior to May 18, 1981, which are infamous crimes after May 18, 1981.
Acts 1981, ch. 345, §§ 2, 8; 1983, ch. 207, § 1.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11
cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1983–2025 · leading case: Wesley v. Collins, 605 F. Supp. 802 (M.D. Tenn. 1985).
Wesley v. Collins, 605 F. Supp. 802 (M.D. Tenn. 1985). “*804 Facts Two plaintiffs bring suit in this Court alleging that the Tennessee Voting Rights Act of 1981, T.C.A. § 2-19-143 (1983 Supp.), denies them rights secured under the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and under the federal Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982, 42 U.”
Tenn.Conf. of the NAACP v. William Lee, 105 F.4th 888 (6th Cir. 2024). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (2)–(3); Falls, 673 S.”
Gaskin v. Collins, 661 S.W.2d 865 (Tenn. 1983). “§ 2 — 2—139(d) and § 2-19-143(4), is declared to be unconstitutional in that it violates Article I § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution.”
Tenn. State Conf. of the NAACP v. William Lee, 139 F.4th 557 (6th Cir. 2025). “2023); Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 2-19-143 (2)–(3), 40-20-112 (2024).”
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Dissent) (Tenn. 2023). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3) (2014) (emphases added).”
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Tenn. Ct. App. 2021). “Falls filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that his full rights of citizenship had been restored by the Governor of Virginia, as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3), and therefore, he was entitled to vote in Tennessee.”
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (2023). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3) (2014). Respondents, three public employees sued in their official capacity, countered that Mr.”
State of Tennessee v. Roscoe Dixon (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “” See also Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (providing that those convicted of infamous crimes in this state or under federal law shall not be permitted to vote unless such person has been pardoned by the appropriate authority or “the person’s full rights of citizenship have otherwise…”
John N. Moffitt v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “” See also Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (providing that those convicted of infamous crimes in this state or under federal law shall not be permitted to vote unless such person has been pardoned by the appropriate authority or “the person’s full rights of citizenship have otherwise…”
Gregory L. Smith v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). “This subsection (b) shall apply even if the person's citizenship rights have been restored, but shall not be construed as limiting the restoration of any other citizenship rights, including the right of suffrage provided for in § 2-2-139, § 2-19-143, or § 40-29-105. Accordingly,…”
Wilson v. State (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). “§ 2-2- 139(d) and § 2-19-143(4), is declared to be unconstitutional in that it violates Article I, § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143(1) — 1 case
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Dissent) (Tenn. 2023). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3) (2014) (emphases added).”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143(2) — 1 case
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Dissent) (Tenn. 2023). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3) (2014) (emphases added).”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143(3) — 1 case
Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Dissent) (Tenn. 2023). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143 (3) (2014) (emphases added).”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-143(4) — 2 cases
Gaskin v. Collins, 661 S.W.2d 865 (Tenn. 1983). “§ 2 — 2—139(d) and § 2-19-143(4), is declared to be unconstitutional in that it violates Article I § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution.”
Wilson v. State (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). “§ 2-2- 139(d) and § 2-19-143(4), is declared to be unconstitutional in that it violates Article I, § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution.”
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