Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Super Tuesday: Tennessee Democrats sue to extend voting hours after deadly tornadoes

The suit is seeking to extend polls for another three hours 

Tuesday 03 March 2020 18:38 EST
Comments
Related video: Coronavirus cases: The spread outside China
Related video: Coronavirus cases: The spread outside China ( )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Tennessee Democratic Party has sued the Davidson County elections commission and Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett´s office to extend voting hours in the tornado-stricken county.

The suit seeks to extend polling hours from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time.

Voting locations in Davidson county had opened an hour later - at 8 a.m. - after an early morning tornado damaged more than a dozen polling places and voters were advised to go to other locations to cast ballots.

Party spokeswoman Emily Cupples said some voters showed up at 7 a.m. to cast their votes but their polling locations were not open and they had to leave without being able to vote. Also, some locations opened after 8 a.m. due to damage, and voters were not able to cast ballots either.

Lines were long at some locations that were unprepared for additional voters and people left without casting their ballots, Cupples said.

More follows…

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in