Tennessee newly backs mail vote option for COVID risk group

State officials say they are prepared to offer absentee ballots to voters who have health conditions or live with someone at risk for COVID-19 even if wide mail-in voting is rejected in a court appeal. A state attorney announced the state’s changed stance during a virtual hearing Thursday with the justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court. For now, an absentee voting option exists for all eligible voters for the November election, though the state argues the Supreme Court should eliminate it. Supporters of widespread voting by mail have argued that without it, Tennessee would make many voters choose between risking their health at the polls or forgoing their constitutional right to vote.