Tennessee’s top election office has sent letters to more than 14,000 registered voters asking them to prove their citizenship, a move that alarmed voting rights advocates as possible intimidation. A spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office says Tuesday that the list was developed after comparing voter rolls with data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The letters warn that it is illegal in Tennessee for noncitizens to vote. Voting rights advocates began raising the alarm after photos of the letter started circulating on social media. Democrats have long criticized the Secretary of State’s office for its stances on voting issues in the Republican-dominant state.
